2 left in race for board seat
Robert Russell withdraws candidacy, throws support to Marvin Stewart
One of the three candidates for the downtown seat on the Charleston County School Board announced Monday that he had dropped out of the race.
College of Charleston professor Robert Russell said his wife has some health problems, and he doesn't have time to campaign five or six nights each week.
Russell gave his endorsement to Marvin Stewart, vice chairman of the downtown constituent school board and manager of the Village branch library in Mount Pleasant. Stewart will face incumbent and attorney Toya Green in the Nov. 4 election.
Previous stories
Russell drops out of Charleston County School board race Charleston County verifies signatures, published 08/02/08
School board races shaping up; Turnover may bring big changes in Charleston County, published 07/16/08
Russell's departure leaves nine candidates vying for five open seats: one downtown, two in North Charleston and two in West Ashley. Board Vice Chairwoman Nancy Cook of North Charleston, Chairman Hillery Douglas of North Charleston and member Brian Moody of West Ashley are not running for re-election. Candidates must live in certain areas, but residents from across the county can vote on each seat.
The competition for the downtown seat has been a headline-grabbing race, with issues such as candidates' race and their perspective on charter schools debated.
The main reason Russell said he endorsed Stewart rather than Green was that when the question of additional charter schools would come before the school board, Stewart would ask, "Why?" rather than, "Why not?"
Green responded by referencing her voting record on charter schools. She said she supports good charter schools and sees the value in them. In addition to supporting charter schools, she said she's trying to support all of the district's schools.
Stewart said one of the biggest differences between him and Green is that she would be reflexively supportive of the superintendent and board. Stewart would not go into every situation with an adversarial perspective, but he said he would make a concerted effort to bring about change because the board is dysfunctional.
Green countered that the biggest difference is that she's a team player and Stewart is a naysayer who offers no solutions. Green said she would work with the superintendent because studies have shown that the length of superintendents' tenure correlates with their success, and consistency needs to be maintained to see that.
Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.
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mlm (anonymous) says...
Stewart said that he "would make a concerted effort to bring about change because the board is dysfunctional." There are no truer words.
"Green countered that the biggest difference is that she's a team player and Stewart is a naysayer who offers no solutions."
She's such a "team player" that she ignores the schools and her constituents. She was the one who she said right after she was elected almost two years ago, "Why do these people call me? I represent the whole county, not District 20." She was Mayor Riley's choice for the board and she seems to represents the interests of the administration, not voters or parents.
Marvin Stewart is a graduate of Charleston public schools, a former classroom teacher and a parent of two daughters who finished local public schools, including one at AMHS, before they went on to complete their university education. Toya Green did not attend schools here and her child goes to Buist.
As a member and former chairman of a constituent school board for the past 10 years, Marvin takes constituent calls. Toya does not.
When parents or teachers call Marvin asking questions or request help solving problems, he sorts out the issues and becomes an advocate when needed. When they call Toya, she defends the administration every time.
Marvin is an educator who seeks additional knowledge. Toya digs in to defend the status quo.
If the public is allowed to see them discuss the issues and their plans before this election, it will be obvious that Toya Green is the nay sayer with nothing new to offer. Marvin Stewart is the one with ideas and solutions. The voters have a choice between someone who understands how to run a reference desk and someone who's a corporate defense lawyer. Which one sounds more positive to you?
September 16, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shoelaces (anonymous) says...
A ha!!! Toya's child goes to Buist. I was waiting to see if mlm would use that in her/his argument.
September 16, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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