One of the state's largest school districts is beginning a new chapter after the result of last week's elections. Richland One continues to evolve as the district tries to improve its academic standing.
In recent years there has been instability at the top. Last November, the school board ousted Superintendent Allen Coles citing unsatisfactory school progress reports in the district.
Dr. Percy Mack is now in his first year as the district's new chief hoping to shore up some of its failing schools. After voters decided to overhaul the board that oversees Richland One's direction, Dr. Mack has some new faces to help reach the district's goals.
New board members Jamie Devine, Susie Dibble and Barbara Scott were all sworn in Tuesday night. All three are bound by a common thread. They all got involved because they have children or grandchildren in the district.
"Statistics show the more you can get parents involved the better the progress of the student," says Devine, who has a 3-year-old daughter who will enter the district's pre-school program next school year. "My wife and I want her to have a good education."
Student progress has been an issue in some of the district's roughly 50 schools.
"I think we all have an extra stake in this," says Barbara Scott, who has ninegrandchildren who are in, or have gone through Richland One schools. "The future of this world is our children and what we do with them."
Long-time school volunteer and mother of two Susie Dibble has the same goals as her fellow new board members.
"You have to have consistency when you're dealing with children," says Dibble. "We've had several superintendents recently and I'm hoping I can help bring some stability to the board."
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