Lexington, SC 09/05/2024 (Paul Kirby) – Local realtor Shelton Yonce has filed to run for one of the 4 seats that will soon be open on Lexington One’s School Board of Trustees. These will be on the ballot in November during the general election. 2 board members have chosen not to run again as their 4-year term expires and 2 board members are running for reelection to try and win another 4-year term.
Lexington District One is the largest district in the county and has over 27,000 enrolled students that attend 5 primary attendance areas. Each of those includes 1 high school and multiple feeders schools as students work their way toward graduation through kindergarten, elementary, middle and then high school. Those attendance areas include Lexington, River Bluff, Gilbert, White Knoll, and Pelion. The district includes both large urban centers and multiple rural areas. Family incomes and parent’s educations vary widely depending upon what region of the district a student comes from.
Yonce is a product of Lexington District One having attended his 12 years of school in the Pelion attendance area. He graduated in 2013 and prior to graduation he was the student body president during his senior year.
He has a broad, established, deep-rooted family in southern Lexington County. That includes members who live in Pelion, Fairview, Boiling Springs, and parts of Gilbert and Red Bank. Much of his family, including his grandparents and parents, are alumni of Lexington School District One schools. Yonce, 29, is married to Karlyn Williams and the couple are expecting their first child in the next few weeks. Her family is from The Lexington and Red Bank areas. They live off Platt Springs Road near where it intersects with Boiling Springs and Pond Branch Roads.
He has experience working together with others to solve problems, meet goals, and improve the community for the people who call those areas home. This is not his first time running for public office. He ran for and was elected to serve on the Town of Pelion’s Council. He has also served on the Pelion High School Improvement Council, and currently serves on Lexington County’s Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.
Yonce says his experience on Pelion town council is one of the life experiences that make him qualified to serve on the board at this point in his life. “On town council, we had to handle community issues, fiscal needs and represent diverse viewpoints of the constituents. We had to do what was best for the most amount of people. This gave me a strong foundation in governing and decision-making. Now, serving on the Assessment Board of Appeals has furthered my ability to evaluate situations fairly and transparently, ensuring that decisions are made with integrity and in the best interest of all parties involved. That can be a tough task at times.”
He continued by saying now, as a realtor, he has developed negotiation skills and an understanding of the importance of communicating clearly, being transparent, and ethical practices. “These roles allow me to work with a wide range of people, respect diverse viewpoints, and consistently find solutions that balance the needs of everyone involved. I believe these skills are directly transferable to the responsibilities of a board member, where ethical leadership and the ability to work together are paramount,” he concluded.
When asked why he wants to run for and serve on the school board Yonce said, “I have a deep commitment to bettering our community. I feel I can contribute to the success and well-being of our students, teachers, staff, and their families.”
When asked recently about what his priorities were for the district he said, “I feel academic excellence should always be a priority. We must consistently pursue the highest standards in education, ensuring that our students achieve the best outcomes as a result of their education at Lexington One. They need to be well-prepared for whatever path they choose whether that’s college, the military, technical schools, or entering the workforce directly,” Yonce said. He continued by saying, “However, it all starts with the teachers in the classroom. Supporting our amazing teachers and support staff is what makes Academic Excellence possible. It’s essential that they are supported by the administration. Teachers need to have the district provide the materials they need to teach effectively. They also must be given a stronger voice in decisions that shape the future of our students.”
Yonce continued by saying that improving communication is one area that District One could make improvements in. “Too often you hear staff say that the right hand isn’t talking to the left. Communication between staff is not the only priority,” he said. “We need to hear, and really listen to our students, their parents or guardians, and our entire staff in order to foster an atmosphere of true transparency.”
“I also believe in fiscal transparency,” Yonce said. “A district this size spends a tremendous amount of money every day and the taxpayers who pay that should be able to see where it comes from and where it goes. We should continue to work toward providing clarity regarding financial management and practices.”
In regard to finances he continued by saying, “The board should also continue supporting the district’s strategic plan by ensuring we provide adequate resources. This involves facilitating open conversations between different people with different viewpoints. We need to carefully consider budget allocations. Funds should be directed in a manner that best supports programs and initiatives designed to benefit students. These should align with the objectives outlined in the strategic plan.”
Yonce continued the conversation by saying, “I believe the board should also support the district’s decisions to implement new curriculum if it’s beneficial. This is a new day, and the strategic plan needs to reflect that by adopting and implementing updated curricula after it’s been properly vetted. The goal is to meet the diverse needs of students and prepare them for future success.”
Yonce also said that Community Engagement is a key element that defines who we are in Lexington School District One. “A priority for me is to ensure that the district continues forging strong relationships with our diverse local businesses, no matter their size or pay scale. Through partnerships with business owners of many different types, career and technical education, mentorship, and workshops, we can continue incorporating community needs into our curriculum. We already have the incredible Lexington Technology Center and The College Center, which both are a fantastic resource for our students. I would like to continue advocating to enlarge those centers so that they can accommodate all students and serve as a hub where more businesses from the community can communicate their needs. By doing so, we can better prepare our students for college, technical schools, or the workforce—right here in their own backyard.”
He also said the board must ensure that all district departments are supported by having standard operating procedures in place. These procedures provide consistency, efficiency, and clarity. The board should also support the district by revisiting outdated policies and developing new ones where needed.
Finally, he came to a close by saying, “In addition to supporting the district’s strategic plan, the board must ensure accountability to the students who are directly impacted by it. This requires continuous monitoring of the plan’s implementation, using data and reports to track progress and make informed decisions. The board should hold the district accountable for meeting student-focused goals and be prepared to make adjustments as necessary to ensure the plan’s success.
At the end of our interview, Yonce said, “Because we live in Lexington County and have so many Republican office holders, they feel as if the important races were held in the June primaries. That is true. I’m a Conservative Christian and most of my voting was done in the Spring. In SC, because of the National Electoral College, I’ll cast my vote for president in November, but my 1 vote will make little difference in my life. The one election that can most quickly affect me is the school board. It can have a big effect on my tax bill and my son will start school in about 4 years. It’s extremely important to vote on November 5th. I hope that I can earn your trust and receive your vote.”
You can contact Shelton Yonce by telephone at (803) 604-2930 or by email at yoncesgenes@gmail.com.
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