Meet the candidates for Horry County School District 9

The candidates for the district 9 seat on the Horry County Board of Education are newcomer and business owner Republican Chris Hardwick and Democrat Ronald Bessant, who has previously served on the school board. All other Horry County School District candidates are running unopposed.

Both candidates were given questionnaires and their responses are listed below.

Ronald Bessant, Democrat

Age and birth date | 63; Sept. 17, 1953

Address | 3860 B Circle Road Longs, South Carolina 29568

Occupation | Bellman-Guest Services Hilton World Wide/ Embassy Suites (23 years) Server: Original Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood (nine years); 2012 Employee of the Year

Family | Married to Katie V. Bessant for the past 43 years. We have three children and nine grandchildren.

Civic and political experience | Member of Mount Calvary #2, deacon, Sunday school teacher, past Boy Scout leader, past director of MC Youth Ministry, personally provides baskets to needy families in the community at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Member of Horry County School Board for 18 years. Past president of SC School Boards Association. Representative for Horry, Marion and Dillon counties of SC School Boards Association. Member of Palmetto Unified School District Board of Trustees, Columbia, SC; 2010 to present.

Member and past Master of Silver Star Lodge 333. 2013 Hospitality Employee of the Year by the Myrtle Beach area Hospitality Association. 2013 SC Hospitality Employee of the Year presented by SC Association Tourism Regions.

Education | Graduate of Conway High School. Attended Coastal Carolina University. Certified in hotel and restaurant management from Stratford Career Institute. Graduate of Maritime Beach Club Managers Training Program.

Military experience | None.

Contact information | rbessant@sccoast.net

Question | List three things that you would like to work on if elected.

Answer | My passion is public education; my theme is “Children First”. To ensure quality education for Horry County I pledge to:

1. Listen, engage parents, educators, students and community concerning educational practices, policies and safety in schools.

2. Create world-class facilities in Horry County with technology and resources for all students.

3. Engage business partners to assist with preparing students for the future.

Chris Hardwick, Republican

Age and birth date | 47; July 22, 1969

Occupation | Co-Owner of Hardwick Funeral Home

Family | Wife: Cindy Williams Hardwick. Two daughters: Maddi Hardwick (age 13) and Mary Megan Hardwick (age 11). My parents are Steven Hardwick and Sandy Hardwick of North Myrtle Beach, SC.

Civic and political experience | Past president of the Loris Chamber of Commerce. Past board member and treasurer of East Carolina Academy. Member of Loris First Presbyterian Church.

Education | Graduated from Loris High School, University of South Carolina & Gupton-Jones College.

Military experience | None.

Contact information | chrishardwick2017@gmail.com

Question | List three things that you would like to work on if elected.

Answer | In District 9 there is a need to offer incentives for teachers to stay at our schools. So often we get a new teacher who proves to be excellent and after a few years they move out of the district. I feel it is paramount to retain excellent teachers and compensate them accordingly.

Countywide, we will need to pay close attention to attendance lines and overcrowding as these are a constant concern.

I would also like to praise all of the district employees for their dedication to all those in need during, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Mathew. They served over 9,000 meals and provided an invaluable service.

This story was originally published November 4, 2016 at 10:37 AM with the headline "Meet the candidates for Horry County School District 9."