AIKEN - As Edgefield County youngsters head back to school Wednesday, they will be adjusting to new class schedules and different teaching styles.

But the Edgefield County school board also will be reconciling itself to the new reality of the November elections, which brought in two new board members and a new chairwoman.

Sallie Cooks, who narrowly beat challenger Kenneth R. Collier for the District 6 seat, was elected chairwoman by fellow board members at the Dec. 14 board meeting.

The board, which voted along racial lines on several issues during the past two years, now has a black chairwoman who was highly visible during the controversy over Strom Thurmond High School's mascot, which the board voted to change from a Southern planter to a blue tick hound.

The board still faces the redistricting issues and continued unrest from residents of the Merriwether community, who say they want more representation for their rapidly growing area.

"It's a little different (not being school board chairman)," said District 4 representative Brad Covar. "We had a good year last year. The school district is financially strong and received a good report card."

Mr. Covar, who is white, said he hopes race will not become an issue on the board, four of whose seven members are black.

"The board was a majority-black board before, and I certainly hope that people will vote as individuals who represent all of the children and taxpayers in their districts," Mr. Covar said.

Edgefield County school Superintendent Sharon Keesley said she doesn't expect any problems with the board, which is preparing the budget and calendar for the 2005-06 school year.

Dr. Keesley said the board will be watching Gov. Mark Sanford's Put Parents in Charge Act, which would allow tax credits for parents wanting to move their children to private schools - something she said would take money away from the Edgefield County School District, which already has endured four straight years of state budget cuts.

"Public schools are here to educate the masses, and when 93 percent of the students in South Carolina attend public school, I don't think giving tuition tax credits is the way to be the best stewards of that money," Dr. Keesley said.

"We have new board officers and board members, and I just think there are some key legislative issues that they are going to have to take a look at."

Mrs. Cooks, newly elected District 3 board member James Bibbs and newly elected District 7 board member Scott Chitty said in previous interviews with The Augusta Chronicle that the board should consider possibly adding up to two positions to represent the rapidly growing Merriwether area of the county.

They did not immediately return phone calls to their homes and offices seeking comment Monday afternoon.

Although the school board approved a redistricting proposal in a 4-3 vote, it did not have enough support to pass in the state Legislature in 2004, Mr. Covar said.

"We are still under the same districts we were running under 10 years ago. Even though I voted against the plan, I thought it was a plan we could all live with," Mr. Covar said.

"Several of the candidates talked about it during the campaign, and it's something that I think the board will revisit."

Reach Karen Ethridge at (803) 648-1395, ext. 109, or karen.ethridge@augustachronicle.com.

NEW OFFICERS

 •  Sallie Cooks (District 6), chairwoman

 •  Scott Chitty (District 7), vice chairman

 •  James Bibbs (District 3), secretary