Louis Clyburn Jr.
Louis Clyburn Jr. was the District 5 representative on the Kershaw County Board of Trustees in South Carolina. He was first elected to the board in 2012, which was his first time running for political office, and he served until December 31, 2016.[1][2][3][4]
Clyburn sought another term in the primary election on June 14, 2016.[5] He lost the election.[4]
Biography
Clyburn served as a sergeant and squad leader in the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. Before he retired, he worked for DuPont for 35 years in a number of different roles, including plant operations supervisor, safety supervisor, employment supervisor, and cost section head. He has served on the deacon board and as the Sunday school department leader for Camden First Baptist Church. Clyburn earned an associate degree in business from Palmar College and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina. His children attended and graduated from the Kershaw County School District.[1]
Elections
2016
Five of the nine seats on the Kershaw County School District Board of Trustees were up for by-district general election on November 8, 2016. A primary election was held on June 14, 2016, for the District 5 race, as it was the only contested seat. Incumbent Louis Clyburn Jr. was defeated by challenger James Smith for that seat, and Smith advanced to the general election. Incumbents Derrick Proctor, Matt Irick, and Ron Blackmon were unopposed in Districts 3, 7, and 9, respectively. Newcomer Todd McDonald was also unopposed in District 1, which was left open when incumbent Mara Horton Jones decided not to run for re-election. All four unopposed seats did not appear on the primary ballot, but they did appear on the general election ballot.[5][6][4][7] Smith, Proctor, Irick, Blackmon, and McDonald were elected to the board in the general election.[8]
Results
| Kershaw County School District, District 5 Primary Election, 4-Year Term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 James Smith |
68.66% | 322 |
| Louis Clyburn Jr. Incumbent | 31.34% | 147 |
| Total Votes | 469 | |
| Source: Abbey Smith, "Phone communication with Kershaw County Voter Registration," July 5, 2016 | ||
Funding
Clyburn reported $1,367.00 in contributions and $1,367.00 in expenditures to the South Carolina State Ethics Commission, which left his campaign with a $0.00 balance in the election.[9]
Endorsements
Clyburn received no official endorsements in the election.
2012
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Louis Clyburn Jr. |
58.6% | 1,505 | |
| Nonpartisan | G. Kenneth Gary | 41.3% | 1,061 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.2% | 4 | |
| Total Votes | 2,570 | |||
| Source: Kershaw County, South Carolina Board of Elections and Registration, "2012 General Election," accessed March 29, 2016 | ||||
Campaign themes
2016
Clyburn discussed the following top five priorities for the district with the Chronicle-Independent:
- Finances and protecting taxpayers’ interest
| “ | The state is not fully funding education. However, we are in a better position than we were in 2012. Taxpayers work hard for their money and I will continue to make sure every penny spent on education is spent in the best interests of the students.[10] | ” |
| —Louis Clyburn Jr. (June 6, 2016)[11] | ||
- Informing the community
| “ | Keeping the community informed is of upmost importance. (KCSD Superintendent) Dr. (Frank) Morgan, district office staff, trustees and community members have held town-hall type meetings in each area of the county discussing the school bond and penny sales tax referenda. Dr. Morgan has an internet blog, accepts phone calls and writes for the Chronicle-Independent to help keep the community informed and answer questions. The school board meets twice a month and includes an open forum for anyone to speak. This, at times, can be both good news and bad news. However, community with our citizens keeps everyone on the same page and increases our chances to finding solutions. As an elected official, I am a board member; I must hear your voice to represent you.[10] | ” |
| —Louis Clyburn Jr. (June 6, 2016)[11] | ||
- Communication with teachers
| “ | As a reelected Kershaw County school board member, Clyburn said he would value the opportunity to continue to provide the district’s teachers with the proper tools to educate students. “I have talked with teachers at their schools, churches, grocery stores, athletic events and various meetings to discuss their concerns and seek their input. Teachers play a multitude of important roles in the lives of students at their best and worst moments. They are there to pick them up and make a difference in their lives. Teachers are the foundation of the educational world. With this foundation, and a positive foundation at home, we have a strong possibility of producing graduates who are prepared for the world after high school.[10] | ” |
| —Louis Clyburn Jr. (June 6, 2016)[11] | ||
- Collaborating with local industry/business
| “ | Collaboration with industries and businesses can lead to possible information and materials for the classroom. In turn, the classroom will provide a more educated and useful employee. The public school system will have the biggest effect on growth and prosperity of the community over the next 10 years, right next to law enforcement and industry.[10] | ” |
| —Louis Clyburn Jr. (June 6, 2016)[11] | ||
- Monitoring and motivating student achievement
| “ | The one person in the school who has the most influence on student achievement is the teacher. The establishment of a welcoming classroom environment will produce excitement. The visible enthusiasm of teaching is key to the student’s success. As a board member, I have visited schools, classroom and athletic events and observed education in process. I want to continue to talk with the teachers and administrators to discuss their needs, and to ensure they are excited about coming to work each day.[10] | ” |
| —Louis Clyburn Jr. (June 6, 2016)[11] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Louis Clyburn Jr.' 'Kershaw County School District'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 WISTV.com, "Louis Clyburn Jr.," accessed April 12, 2016
- ↑ Chronicle-Independent.com, "Filing period ends for most 2012 offices," April 2, 2012
- ↑ Kershaw County, South Carolina Board of Elections and Registration, "2012 General Election," accessed March 29, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Abbey Smith, "Phone communication with the Kershaw County Voter Registration," June 15, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 South Carolina Election Commission, "Candidate Listing for the 6/14/2016 Kershaw County School Board Gen Election," accessed March 31, 2016
- ↑ Abbey Smith, “Email communication with Jim Fitzpatrick, Kershaw County Voter Registration," April 19, 2016
- ↑ Kershaw County School District, "Directory of School Board Trustees," accessed March 31, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina Secretary of State, "2016 Statewide General Election," accessed November 9, 2016
- ↑ South Carolina State Ethics Commission, "Individual Reports," accessed December 12, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Chronicle-Independent, "Clyburn running for reelection to school board Seat No. 5," June 7, 2016
| 2016 Kershaw County School District Elections | |
| Kershaw County, South Carolina. | |
| Election date: | Primary election: June 14, 2016 • General election: November 8, 2016 |
| Candidates: | District 1: • Todd McDonald District 3: • Incumbent, Derrick Proctor District 5: • Incumbent, Louis Clyburn Jr. • James Smith District 7: • Incumbent, Matt Irick District 9: • Incumbent, Ron Blackmon |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
