Work continues on Sumter School District excellence
Editor's note: The Rev. Ralph Canty, elected the chairman of Sumter School District Board of Trustees on Monday, wrote this statement to the board after being named chairman.
Over the course of this district's emergence, we have come full circle. I am humbled by the decision of my fellow board members, and I accept the chairmanship with the understanding that "he who leads is the servant of all." And, with that spirit, I will endeavor to create a climate where every board member, their vision and their opinions are valued. Whenever we meet, we come together as diverse individuals, and that diversity will be respected. But the work of this board is only effective and meaningful through the formation of the whole - nine individuals becoming one.
If anyone thinks that two becoming one is a challenge, then you can appreciate the challenge that confronts this board. But we must achieve this noble goal or all else fails. Will we disagree on matters? Sure we will. But the character of this board will not be determined by our disagreements. Instead, it will be determined by our capacity to work through those disagreements (difference). If the head is dysfunctional, so will be the body. The nine of us comprise the board, and as a board, we will appoint a superintendent. And the nine of us will empower that superintendent to manage the day-to-day affairs of this district. Anything else will create chaos and confusion.
I pray that over time I will gain the respect of each of you as together we forge a creative and progressive agenda of excellence for the Sumter School District.
Let it be known to all those present and to the members of this community, the work of the Sumter School District does not commence this evening it continues. This session tonight is not our genesis, it is not our beginning; we've been at it now for a while, so we cannot and we do not start over tonight. We simply turn a corner, reach another milestone. So, we are here to build upon the legacy that has been passed over to us, and I pray that we will do that with a distinction that will make former board members, former superintendents, former staff and students proud of our efforts.
So, I invite you, let us continue
Continue to build a premier school system that will be a model for this state and nation.
Continue to support the superintendent, the staff and teachers with visionary policies and procedures that will enable them to be effective in the discharge of their assignments.
Continue to embrace and encourage the highest standards of excellence and achievement for our students.
Continue to support generous and meaningful compensation increases for our dedicated teachers and staff.
Continue to demand the strictest discipline on our campuses and in our classrooms. We should stand firm: No tolerance for disrespect, drugs, violence and class disruptions.
Continue to create systems of collaboration with parents, churches, government, business and industry and other stakeholders who must recognize, support and appreciate an educational system as a necessity for intellectual, economic and cultural empowerment of a community.
In my heart of hearts, I am convinced that the unachievable is achievable and that together we can get it done. So, let's do it, and let's do it together.