BREAKING NEWS: Board Names Superintendent Finalists
After three meetings to give interviews, then special reviews and consideration to applicants for the position of district superintendent, the Chester County Board of School Trustees has announced its finalists. On Tuesday, the board held its final meeting and selected two male and two female finalists for the position left vacant by Dr. Thomas Graves, who resigned effective May 1. The candidates will come to Chester for a community “Meet the Candidates” reception at the district office on Nov. 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The board “worked hard” and was dedicated to the task of selecting a candidate to serve as the district's new superintendent, said Interim Superintendent John Taylor. The finalists for the Chester County Schools Superintendent position are: Dr. Carlotta D. Redish, the associate superintendent for administrative services and instruction in the Cherokee County School District; Dr. Agnes M. Slayman, the executive director of secondary education for the Kershaw County School District; Dr. Ahmed Sean Alford, the chief instructional services officer for the Beaufort County School District; and Dr. Stephen C. Laws, superintendent for the Wilkes County Schools since 2003. A brief biography of each candidate is shared below:
Dr. Carlotta D. Redish has her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of South Carolina with a major in Educational Leadership and Policy. She has served as a history and social studies teacher, a department chairperson, elementary assistant principal and principal, a literary specialist, and director of personnel.
Dr. Agnes M. Slayman has her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of South Carolina in Educational Administration. She has taught middle school special needs populations and social studies in an alternative setting. She has been a high school assistant principal, a middle and high school principal, and the assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Kershaw County School District.
Dr. Ahmed Sean Alford graduated from the Citadel and earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina. He has been a high school history and social studies teacher, a high school assistant principal and principal, a director of student support services and chief instructional services officer for Beaufort County.
Dr. Stephen C. Laws graduated from Wake Forest University and has his Education doctorate from Vanderbilt University. Prior to his current position, Dr. Laws served five years as superintendent of the Elkin City, NC schools. During his career, he has served as a workforce development teacher, has been an assistant principal and principal at both the middle and high school levels, and has served as a human resources director prior to his almost 14 years as a superintendent.
The board hopes to make its final selection at a special called meeting on Nov. 28, Taylor said. The new superintendent will be named shortly after that.
The News & Reporter – - Thursday, November 03, 2011