School Board Candidates Answer Questions: Hannah Arnold

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson Observer reached out to all candidates running for school board seats in this year’s election. The following are the responses of those who responded. These interviews in no way constitute an endorsement of any candidate. They are published as a public service to Anderson County voters.

Candidates who still wish to be included in providing voters with information can contact news@andersonobserver.com no later than 11 p.m. Oct. 28 for a chance to answer questions. The deadline for all submissions will be 11 p.m. Oct. 29.

Hannah Arnold, Anderson School Dist. 3, At-Large

1. What is the primary responsibility of a school board member?

The primary responsibility of a school board member is to ensure all students receive a quality education. A school board member should be accessible and accountable to the community he or she has been elected to represent. An effective school board member has a desire to serve children and the community, a strong belief in the value of public education, and the expertise needed to make sound decisions.  A school board member must be willing to work as a member of the team. An important part of working as a team includes being open-minded and engaging in healthy debate that centers on what is best for all students.  

2. What are the three most pressing issues facing the school district for which you seek to serve? 

In my conversations with community members of Anderson School District 3 the three most pressing issues are prioritized spending and transparency, ensuring all students have access to a quality education and school safety and security.  

3. How would you resolve those issues? 

To ensure prioritized spending, a high level of accountability and transparency must be exercised by each board member. Students must be at the forefront of every decision being made.  This starts by adding diversity to the school board.  Electing an educator that has experience working in schools will have an immediate impact by adding a new level of expertise and perspective.  There is no amount of knowledge that replaces the value of having a member of the school board with over 20 years of experience in the public school setting and that is what you will get if you elect me to represent you.

It is the responsibility of the school board to ensure students receive a quality education based on South Carolina standards.  There must be a continual review of the curriculum being taught to the students. Parent concerns should be valued and addressed with transparency allowing them to have full confidence in the education their children receive.  Academic results must be monitored on a continual basis and measures put in place to accelerate each school in the district to an excellent school report card rating.  

Parents and students deserve to know safety is a priority.  Safety plans must be reviewed to determine where additional resources and training is needed.  The plan should include strong collaboration with community first responders and local law enforcement.  Any gaps in resources should be secured immediately and monitored regularly.  

If elected as a school board member these are the strategies I would put in place to alleviate the three most pressing issues presented to me during my conversations with community members of Anderson School District 3.

4. How would you solve differences in your goals/approach working with the superintendent/other board members? 

My goals will always be aligned with what is in the best interest of all students and I will work collaboratively with the school board members and superintendent to represent the students. I will listen with an open mind, foster an environment where collaboration is valued and debate respectfully. 

5. Have you served on boards/foundations? 

I have devoted my career to serving in the field of education.  I have served on the National Board Committee, Title IX Committee, ADEPT Special Areas Evaluator Committee, Sick Bank Committee and numerous scholarship committees.   

6. What experience/qualifications do you possess which make you an ideal candidate?

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Master of Education in School Counseling, Education Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision and National Board Certification.   

I have 20 years of experience working in education:  12 years at Crescent High School, (2007-2019).  I have served as a school counselor and assistant principal of instruction for Anderson School District 3.  During this time, I started the first Career Pathway (Mechatronics) and Apprenticeship.  I have experience serving as the Anderson School District 3 Representative for the Anderson Institute of Technology (AIT).  I am a committed advocate and invested parent with a desire to serve the students of Anderson School District 3.  

7. Describe your own educational journey and what role education has played in your life. How do you maintain a commitment to lifelong learning in your own life?  

I am proud to say I have devoted my entire career to public education.  I am a first generation high school and college graduate.  My mother instilled a strong value for education in me and my sister from a very young age.  She made sure we knew the importance of earning a quality education. The public school system has been a vital part of my success in earning an education

Public educators paved the way for me and I feel God has called me to do the same for students.  

I value lifelong learning which is evident throughout my career.  I started my career serving in an administrative role where I then advanced to team teaching, serving as a school counselor, school level administrator and most recently district level administrator. My educational journey is a reflection of being committed to lifelong learning.

8. How important is it to maintain competitive teacher salaries and how would you boost morale among teachers?  

I think it is very important to maintain competitive teacher salaries because this fosters an educational environment where highly effective teachers are recruited and retained. Competitive teacher salaries makes teaching more appealing to prospective candidates which raises the caliber of applicants. Teachers are the number one determining factor when it comes to student success. 

A high level of teacher morale has a direct correlation to student success.  In order to boost teacher morale I will work to ensure teachers have the resources needed to effectively remove barriers to student success while remediating and accelerating students.

9. How would you encourage the board to challenge high-achieving students?

Students thrive in an environment where they are encouraged and challenged. The school board must provide the resources needed to support high-achieving students. This is just as important as providing resources to students that need remediation.  The school board must ensure a strong curriculum is in place that has acceleration and extending learning opportunities embedded.  The school board should encourage and support district led initiatives for project based learning, local, state and national competitions and recognition ceremonies for high-achieving students and teachers.

10. Name three things you want voters to know about you as a person. 

I have 20 years of experience in education that has prepared me to effectively serve Anderson School District 3. I will add a new perspective and always represent the A3 community with integrity. I value financial transparency, effective communication, prioritized spending and most of all students! If elected, I will represent the Anderson School District 3 community the way I would want someone to represent me and my family.