Hello Governor Haley and Ms Lee. It was nice having the pleasure of talking to you in person, and as the adoptive mom of 2 children with high medical needs, the Easter egg hunt was surely appreciated.

I also appreciate your willingness to help me with the issue I'm having in regards to getting an exchange student enrolled in Richland District One.

This young girl is 16 years old and from a small town of 40 in Germany. She does not have much life experience outside her little town and I'm looking forward to introducing her to the wonderful experience of life in SC. The premise of the hosting program is for these teens to be immersed into American life and the English language. They are each checked out and must meet stringent requirements. The agency is ASSE (link below) which is a large and reputable one.

This agency submitted all paperwork for the student to the district office in October. There has been no cooperation from either Eau Claire High School or Richland One. I have been put off many times, out and out lied to and given the run around. I feel as a tax payer, that it is within my rights to have this child in public school since she will be living in my home. I've been notified that the Board is meeting on 4/12 and will give a final decision as to whether this young lady is approved to attend District One, but do they really have a choice since she will be residing here with my family? 

I must say that I am very disappointed in how this has been mishandled and how Eau Claire especially has treated me and the hosting agency with less than respect. It is an honorable thing I am proposing and my family and I plan on having a student from a different country live with us each year. It is my hope that not only can I get her into to Richland One but also to use school choice for her to attend AC Flora where they have a very diverse student population as well as their outstanding International Baccalaureate program.

Again I thank you for all  you do for those of us in South Carolina and for help in this situation,

Joy Cameron.

Contact person- Sonia Sheehan, District Registrar

803-231-6944

https://asse.com/home/