© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

Goodloe takes charge in Charleston
New school superintendent wants change for the better

FEB. 3, 2004 -- Dr. Maria Goodloe, the Superintendent of Charleston County Schools, has been on the job only four months, but she has brought an infectious enthusiasm with her to the job. Recruited to Charleston from a position in the Texas public school system, Goodloe said she accepted the post because improvement of the Charleston public school system "can be done."

Goodloe encouraged all Rotarians to "get on the bus" to help collaborate in efforts to improve the school system. She said that we have good talents and resources in Charleston, but we need to confront the "brutal facts" and work together as a community to bring needed change.

She emphasized that community members can all do their part in improving our state of education in Charleston County by, for example, reading to a child or mentoring a child one hour a week. Permitting students to "shadow" professionals at their job sites is another example of how we might help steer children in the right direction. "Kids don't choose their circumstances," said Goodloe. We, therefore, all need to be "surrogate parents" in the schools and in the community and lead the children by example. All of us are accountable for the public schools' success, not just parents of the students, said Goodloe. They are "our kids," she said.

Goodloe emphasized the need for a sound business plan and informed Rotarians that there will be a school board meeting on February 9 at which specific details of the business plan will be discussed. See the school system's web page for further details. Stressing the need for fiscal accountability, Goodloe has already hired a CFO to manage the school system's finances.

Goodloe promises to work every day for every child, not just select children, in the school district.

In other business:

Bill Eaton gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Derya Tagge welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. Johnny Stuhr offered Health and Happiness, and Anita Zucker gave us a Rotary Moment related to events in 1947 and 1948. The Club inducted new members Don Oswalt and Chip Coffee. Finally, Sam Lyons introduced our guest speaker, Dr. Maria Goodloe.

-- Amy Jenkins