The Sun News: Killian may return to state Education Board

Posted on November 16, 2007 
Filed Under News

Former state Education Board member Greg Killian of Myrtle Beach appears likely to return to his old seat unless someone else contests for the slot.

Some legislators, who appoint the board, said they would like to see former Horry County Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait take the unpaid job, but she has not filed an application, and Killian has.

Neither was available for comment Friday.

The board is important because it sets statewide education policy and standards, as well as regulations and teacher certification requirements.

Killian, a family counselor, served an unusual two four-year terms on the board from Jan. 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2003. He has asked to be reappointed with the expiration of the term of Joe Isaac of Pawleys Island, who currently holds the position.

The state board has 17 members, one each from the 16 judicial circuits and one appointed by the governor. The legislative delegations of the judicial circuits pick those members, and they rotate among the counties in the circuit.

Isaac, a retired teacher, principal and coach who lives in Georgetown County, replaced Killian. Isaac said he had “a very positive experience” on the board.

“I met a lot of very good people who care about education in South Carolina,” he said.

Killian already has the support of several delegation members. Some said they had heard Postlewait mentioned as a possibility, but could not consider her because she had not applied.

Miller said Killian did a good job, but she would like to see Postlewait take the position.

“She is one of the most respected women in Horry County,” Miller said. She said she talked to Postlewait, who said she was interested but did not want to be involved in politics.

Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet, said Killian applied in September, but he has not heard from Postlewait.

“The early bird typically has the big advantage,” he said.

Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, said he might be willing to consider new blood for the board, but Killian is the only applicant. Education needs “fundamental change from the top down,” and Killian is willing to work on that, Viers said.

When Killian was on the board, he took the lead in trying to turn the state back to uniform, later school starting dates instead of having schools open in early August.

It finally took legislative action to accomplish later starting dates. Killian said the issue for him was not so much jobs and the economy but having uniform time for pupils across the state to prepare for accountability tests. It was not fair for some districts to take longer to prepare for the tests, he said.

Contact ZANE WILSON at 357-9188 or zwilson@thesunnews.com.

Killian may return to state Education Board
By Zane Wilson – The Sun News