x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by sc.lmhostediq.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Wed, 18 Jan 2017 18:56:17 -0500 thread-index: AdJx5nVhQzy89kkORa2zWPy1vjlXzA== Thread-Topic: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency From: To: Subject: Response via eform 100002 - Help with a State Agency Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2017 18:56:17 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.23573 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 18 Jan 2017 23:56:17.0509 (UTC) FILETIME=[7582D150:01D271E6] WORKFLOW 344 Mrs Johnnelle J Raines Board Member Conservatives of the Upstate Conservatives of the Upstate 144 Homestead Rd Pickens SC 29671 johnnelle@bellsouth.net 864-506-1180 704-860-0648 Conservatives of the Upstate (COTU) Stance on the Pickens County7th School Board Member Legislation SC House Bill 3346 The Conservatives of the Upstate Board Members have met and have decided on our firm position in regards to House Bill 3346 legislation to add a 7th School Board Member. COTU has 350+ members on their membership roster. Our web site is www.conservativesoftheupstate.com Below is the wording of the bill at present: Session 122 - (2017-2018) H 3346 General Bill, By Collins, Clary, Hiott , Newton Summary: Pickens County School Board of Trustees A BILL TO AMEND ACT 260 OF 1981, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BOARD MEMBERS FROM SIX TO SEVEN, TO PROVIDE THE SEVENTH MEMBER INITIALLY MUST BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UPON RECOMMENDATION OF A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION OF PICKENS COUNTY TO SERVE AT LARGE UNTIL A MEMBER REPRESENTING A NEWLY CREATED SEVENTH SINGLE-MEMBER DISTRICT IS ELECTED AND QUALIFIED IN THE 2022 GENERAL ELECTION, AT WHICH TIME THE AT-LARGE SEAT TERMINATES, AND TO PROVIDE ALL PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS MUST BE ELECTED BY MAJORITY VOTE BEGINNING WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION IN 2022. COTU is for killing this present bill as worded. COTU is for allowing the present School Board Superintendent to have the power of voting in case of a tie until the year 2022. COTU is for the Superintendent position becoming an elected position by WE THE PEOPLE of Pickens County in the year 2022 with the right to be the tie breaking vote. COTU is for granting the right of petition referendum to WE THE PEOPLE of Pickens County when we disagree with a decision to close a school or raise taxes. COTU is for all Pickens County School Board Members being elected by a 51% vote. COTU is against a 7th school board member period as it is not needed. COTU is against any at large seat on the board period as history shows this is not good governance. COTU is against any appointed board member period as this is not good governance. The citizens should have the right to elect all School Board members. COTU is against redistricting due to the cost to the taxpayer. We want our School Board to have the same number as our County Council which at present is 6. Conservatives of the Upstate will fight any final legislation that has any elements we have listed above which we are against all the way to the Governor's office. If this legislation is ultimately passed as worded without amending it to include an elected Superintendent beginning 2022 and giving the people the right to Petition Referendum COTU will hold the entire Pickens Legislative Delegation accountable for any poor decisions made by this School Board in the upcoming elections. Junius Smith President of COTU Johnnelle Raines Board Member of COTU for any more questions please contact Junius Smith @ 864-637-8182 or Johnnelle Raines @ cell # 704-860-0648 108.197.185.219