Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
The Anderson Observer is interviewing school board members in contested races who were willing to discuss why they might be a good candidate.
This interview is with B. Donovan Brock Anderson School District 2, Area 1
1. Why are you running for the Anderson School District 2 board?
Anderson School District 2 has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I graduated from Belton-Honea Path High School in 2006, and today my wife and I are raising our children in this district. One of our children has graduated from BHP, while three others currently attend district schools. Marshall Primary, Belton Elementary, and Belton Middle School. To say I’m invested is an understatement.
Through my work with students and families as well as my mom and sister serving as teachers in our district, I've developed a deep appreciation for the people who serve our schools, and the challenges they face. I'm running because I care deeply about this community and want to contribute to the decisions that will shape its future.
I believe our schools deserve thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship of resources, and board members who are willing to listen, ask difficult questions, and work together for the benefit of our students.
2. What experience and/or education make you a good candidate for the board?
First and foremost, I'm a father of four, with one child who has graduated from BHP and three others currently attending schools at the primary, elementary, and middle school levels in District 2. As a parent, I have a personal investment in the education our district provides and the decisions that affect our students and teachers.
Through my children's education and my years in ministry, I've had the unique opportunity to spend time in our schools and build relationships with teachers, administrators, students, and families throughout the district. These experiences have allowed me to see firsthand both the strengths of our schools and some of the challenges they face. I believe that perspective is valuable when considering decisions that directly affect our classrooms.
Professionally, I've had the opportunity to start, build, and grow a small business, Pool Leak Solutions, lead a nonprofit organization, Camp Church, and serve in pastoral ministry for approximately 14 years. Each of these roles has required leadership, financial responsibility, problem-solving, working with people, and making difficult decisions.
I certainly don't claim to know everything about operating a school district, but I believe my experiences as a parent, my familiarity with our schools, and my background in leadership and organizational management would allow me to bring a valuable perspective to the board. I'm willing to listen, learn, and put in the work necessary to serve our district well.
3. What are the three most important responsibilities of a school board member?
First, responsible governance and financial stewardship. School board members are entrusted with overseeing district policies, budgets, and the academic performance. They have a responsibility to ensure taxpayer resources are managed carefully, and decisions are made with long-term consequences in mind.
Second, keeping students and their education at the center of decisions. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Board members should evaluate how their decisions affect student achievement, safety, educational opportunities, and the ability of teachers and staff to do their jobs effectively.
Third, listening to and representing the community. A school district belongs to the community it serves. Board members should be accessible, transparent, and willing to listen to parents, teachers, staff, students, and taxpayers, even when those individuals disagree.
4. What are the three greatest challenges facing Anderson School District 2?
As a parent with children attending schools across the district, and through the opportunities I have to serve and interact with students and school personnel, I've had the privilege of seeing both the strengths of our schools and some of the challenges they face firsthand. I believe three areas deserve particular attention.
First, meeting the diverse educational needs of students and supporting our teachers. Through conversations with teachers and school personnel, as well as my own experiences as a parent, I've become increasingly aware of the challenges that come with meeting the individual needs of students. Every classroom contains children with different abilities, learning styles, backgrounds, and challenges. While district-wide policies and technology can provide valuable tools, I don't believe they should become substitutes for thoughtful, individualized strategies that address the needs of students and the teachers working directly with them. We must be willing to listen to those in the classroom and evaluate whether the solutions we're implementing are actually helping them succeed.
Second, aging facilities and infrastructure. Being regularly present in our schools has given me an opportunity to see some of the facility needs firsthand. Our district must address aging infrastructure, particularly at our two middle schools, while ensuring that students and teachers have safe, functional environments that support learning.
Third, financial responsibility and long-term planning. Maintaining facilities, supporting educational programs, and meeting operational needs all require resources. We must balance these responsibilities with thoughtful planning, transparency, and responsible stewardship of
taxpayer dollars. I believe it's important that financial decisions reflect the actual needs of our schools and classrooms rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
I believe these challenges are interconnected. Addressing them well requires more than broad policies or short-term solutions. It requires listening to the people closest to the challenges, asking the right questions, and making informed decisions that reflect the needs of our district.
5. Will you work toward and support the extension of the capital sales tax for schools? Why or why not?
I'm open to supporting an extension of the capital sales tax, but I believe that support should be based on a clear understanding of how the revenue would be used and what accountability measures would be in place. Before committing to an extension, I would want to review the proposed projects, their costs, their priority within the district, and how the revenue would contribute to a sustainable long-term facilities plan.
I recognize that maintaining and improving school facilities requires significant funding. I also recognize that taxpayers deserve transparency and assurance that their money is being managed responsibly. If an extension provides a financially sound approach to meeting documented needs, with clearly communicated priorities and appropriate oversight, I would be willing to support it. I don't believe a funding mechanism should receive automatic approval without careful evaluation.
6. What should the district do to fund the renovation of the two middle schools?
I believe the district should begin with a comprehensive review of the renovation needs at both middle schools, establish priorities based on safety and educational necessity, and present the community with realistic funding options and their long-term costs. I would want to examine detailed facility assessments, renovation estimates, available funding sources, debt obligations, and the impact any proposal would have on other district needs.
I also believe the district should take seriously the concerns expressed by voters regarding previous proposals. Understanding those concerns is important as the district considers its next steps. Ultimately, we need a practical, financially responsible plan that addresses the educational and facility needs of students and staff while providing taxpayers with clear information about the costs and alternatives. I'm not prepared to endorse a specific funding strategy without first having and reviewing the information necessary to make an informed decision.
7. How would you meet the challenge of working with board members with whom you disagree?
I've spent much of my professional life working with people who bring different experiences, perspectives, and opinions to the table. I've learned that disagreement does not have to prevent people from working together. I believe the first responsibility is to listen carefully and understand why someone holds a particular position. From there, I would focus on the facts, ask questions, and work toward decisions that serve the district.
There will undoubtedly be times when board members disagree. I would approach those disagreements respectfully, communicate my reasoning clearly, and recognize that the responsibility to work together continues even after a vote doesn't go my way. I don't believe effective leadership requires everyone to agree. It requires people who can disagree respectfully while remaining committed to their shared responsibilities.
8. Do you see the role of school board members as a proxy vote for those who elect you or as a public trust to do what's best for the district, no matter the political consequences?
I believe serving on a school board is a public trust that comes with a responsibility to listen to and represent the people who elect you.
Community members deserve to have their concerns heard and considered. At the same time, a board member is responsible for examining the facts, understanding the legal and financial implications of decisions, and exercising sound judgment. Representing the community doesn't necessarily mean following whichever opinion is the loudest. It means taking the responsibility seriously, considering the long-term interests of the district, and being willing to explain the reasoning behind your decisions.
I believe a trustee must be willing to make difficult decisions, when necessary, while remaining accountable to the community.
9. There has been talk of making school board elections, which are currently nonpartisan, into partisan elections. Do you support this change? Why or why not?
I support keeping school board elections nonpartisan.
I believe decisions concerning our local schools should be centered on students, teachers, families, educational outcomes, and the needs of our community rather than political party affiliations. That doesn't mean candidates won't have personal political beliefs or differing perspectives on important issues. It simply means voters should have the opportunity to evaluate school board candidates based on their qualifications, positions, character, and commitment to the district without a political party label defining the election. Our schools serve families from across the political spectrum. I believe nonpartisan elections encourage candidates to focus on the responsibilities of local educational governance rather than party politics.
10. What else do voters need to know about you as a person?
I'm a husband, father of four, lifelong District 2 resident, and proud 2006 graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School. My wife, Kayla, and I have built our lives and raised our family in this community. I serve as Associate and Student Pastor at Neal's Creek Baptist Church and have spent years working with young people and families of our community. My family, faith, and commitment to serving others are important parts of who I am. I value honesty, personal responsibility, and treating people with respect, including those with whom I disagree.
I'm not someone who believes he has all the answers. I believe in asking good questions, doing the necessary preparation, listening to others, and following through on responsibilities. This community has been home to me my entire life, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a position of service to its schools and families.
