Meet the candidates for Horry County Board of Education, District 9
James Edwards
Age | 52
Party | Republican
Occupation | Owner of Inland Associates Inc.
Family | Married; two children
Education | Industrial engineering, N.C. State University, University of South Carolina; B.S., business administration, Coastal Carolina University
Civic and political experience | Active member in Dogwood Hill Baptist Church, Finance Committee Chairman of Carolina Baptist Association, secretary of Loris Blue Pride Booster Club, Loris Middle School – School Improvement Council Chair, Advisory Board Member for Horry County Schools – Loris area
Military experience | None
Question | Last year, the Board of Education approved building five new schools at $72.9 million over the initial budget. Do you think that money will be well-spent, and if not, what would you have suggested the district do differently?
Answer | In Horry County, there is and will continue to be great facility needs for the district as long as current growth trends remain. Current student population is over 42,000 students and the district is growing at a rate of approximately 1,000 students per year. This is basically a new school per year in growth. I would have preferred a more gradual implementation of the new energy technology in a test school to see if it works first, and with the savings spent on building an additional school, or on some of the many repairs that are needed on existing facilities.
Chris Hardwick
Age | 46
Party | Republican
Occupation | Owner of Hardwick Funeral Home
Family | Wife; two daughters
Education | Loris High School; University of South Carolina; Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service
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
Question | Last year, the Board of Education approved building five new schools at $72.9 million over the initial budget. Do you think that money will be well-spent, and if not, what would you have suggested the district do differently?
Answer | The bids for the new schools all came in over budget. The new buildings will be energy efficient net positive structures, so I do feel that the Board of Education exercised due diligence in that regard. I would like to make sure that local contractors, businesses and resources are utilized during that process, so that the money spent will benefit our local economy.
This story was originally published June 11, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Meet the candidates for Horry County Board of Education, District 9."