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Kershaw County school trustees sworn in; James Smith elected chair
Summary
The Kershaw County School District swore in returning and new trustees and unanimously elected Dr. James Smith chair, Shirley Halley vice chair and Shirley Halley chaplain for 2025; committee assignments were made.
The Kershaw County School Board of Trustees on Jan. 14 administered oaths to returning and newly elected members and unanimously elected leadership for 2025, installing Dr. James Smith as board chair.
The swearing-in and elections came at the start of the board's first regular meeting of the year. The board collectively administered the oath to three returning members and individually to two new members before proceeding to nominations and votes for board officers.
Board member Dr. Goodwin nominated Dr. James Smith for chair; Dr. King seconded the nomination. The board voted aloud; the motion carried unanimously. After the vote, Dr. James Smith thanked the board, saying, "Thank the board and everyone for your support and affording me an opportunity to serve. I don't take it lightly." The board then selected Shirley Halley as vice chair and, separately, as board chaplain by unanimous voice votes.
The board also made committee appointments. Dr. King agreed to serve as legislative liaison, and Coach Blackman accepted the chair of finance assignment. The board adopted the meeting agenda and approved December 2024 meeting minutes by unanimous voice votes early in the session.
No dissent or roll-call tallies were recorded in the public transcript for the officer elections; outcomes were announced by voice as unanimous.
The newly elected leadership will preside over regular and special meetings during the 2025 calendar year; committee assignments will guide members' liaison work with legislators and finance oversight.
Looking ahead, the board scheduled orientation opportunities and noted that new-member orientation associated with the South Carolina School Boards Association is mandated by state law and available next month.
