Open letter from new Sumter school board Chairwoman Bonnie Disney
On Aug. 26, 2024, the Rev. Ralph Canty resigned as Sumter School District's Board of Trustees chairman. As the 2022 elected trustee for Area 9 and current trustee elected to be the vice chair, I, Bonnie Disney, now am the chairwoman of the SSD Board of Trustees and take on the duties of that office.
I am humbled yet excited to serve in this new position, for I wholeheartedly believe that our public education system must be our society's greatest way to champion success and opportunities for students from every walk of life. As a lifelong educator who has and still is immersed in the education process, I embrace the opportunity to work with our board of trustees, the superintendent and others. I believe we need to make SSD's vision and mission statements become living documents. In our stated vision, SSD is "committed to educating, empowering, and enriching the lives of all students to reach their full potential." The Mission Statement boldly says that SSD is "committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality educational environment that supports diversity and equips students for local and global success."
In addition, the South Carolina Department of Education as well as the South Carolina State Board of Education mandate that public school districts prepare students to be "college and career ready" upon graduation. These statements embody SSD's vision and mission, and I am committed to working with fellow trustees, our superintendent, local leaders and all who will be partners in our endeavor to move education to the forefront of our priorities.
I want to thank the Rev. Ralph Canty for his leadership and innovative, wise and bountiful ideas that he has shared during the last 20 months as chairman. I am grateful that I have been able to study his leadership style and have been blessed with the abundant wisdom he has shared. I know Rev. Canty will continue to be an active trustee for the next two years, and I am grateful for that. In addition, I plan to build upon the successes of the board under Rev. Canty's leadership.
May we all band together to make Sumter School District the best educational system in South Carolina and beyond.
Bonnie S. Disney is chairwoman of Sumter School District Board of Trustees.