Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you! I am honored and grateful to be re-elected to represent District 9 on the Charleston County School Board. Receiving support from 60% of the voters is both humbling and encouraging, and I look forward to serving our community for another four years.

To everyone who contributed to my campaign, volunteered your time, knocked on doors, made phone calls and wrote postcards, sent texts, displayed yard signs, hosted gatherings, or simply shared a conversation with a neighbor—thank you. Your generosity, encouragement, and belief in the importance of strong public schools made this victory possible.

While I am especially grateful to the voters who placed their confidence in me, I remain committed to representing all students, families, educators, and communities across Charleston County.

The Work Ahead

I believe that every child deserves an excellent public education. That commitment has not changed. Over the next four years, I will continue working to:

·      Improve student achievement and close persistent achievement gaps, particularly for Black students, students with disabilities, students living in poverty, and multilingual learners.

·      Support our teachers, school leaders, and staff with the resources, professional support, and working conditions they need to succeed.

·      Strengthen our neighborhood schools by building on the progress being made across the district, supporting ongoing initiatives to improve teaching and learning, and expanding early childhood education, career and technical education, and opportunities that prepare students for their futures.

·      Promote responsible governance through transparency, accountability, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement, while supporting the Superintendent and district leadership in achieving our shared goals for students.

A New Opportunity for Our School Board

In my recent comments to the Charleston City Paper, I shared this perspective:

"A change in the Board's membership is an opportunity for us to move forward.

A change in how we govern is what will make the difference."

I believe all nine Board members have a responsibility to listen respectfully, ask thoughtful questions, share leadership, and keep students—not politics—at the center of our decisions.

As I also shared with the City Paper:

"The real measure of this Board's success won't be which members vote together.

It will be whether our board is listening, students are learning, our schools are improving,

and our community has confidence in how we govern."

That is the standard I intend to work toward.

Let's Stay Connected!

Although the campaign has ended, our conversations should not. I value hearing from parents, teachers, students, school staff, and community members. Your questions, ideas, concerns, and suggestions help me better understand what is happening in our schools and how we can continue improving.

Please continue to reach out to me: Email: carol_tempel@charleston.k12.sc.us Phone: 843-270-9699

I look forward to continuing to visit schools, attend School Improvement Council and PTA meetings, participate in community events and conversations, and share updates about the work of our district.

Public education is a community responsibility, and strong schools

are built when we work together.

Thank you again for your trust, your support, and your commitment to our public schools. I am excited about what we can accomplish together.

With gratitude,

Dr. Carol Tempel

Charleston County School Board Trustee, District 9

Student First. Strong Public Schools. Steady Leadership.