Campus Director

PTC Campus Director ‘Could
Not Ask for a Better Team’

  When Dr. Brenda Edwards had to be out of work for medical reasons last year, her team had her back.
  “I was out of work for a month!” she recalled. “My staff took the reins and kept everything going. I didn’t have to worry about a thing, because our staff is so awesome.”
  The now fully recovered director for Piedmont Technical College’s Saluda and Edgefield county campuses has been with the college for more than 17 years serving in roles from advisor, counselor, and facilitator to instructor and administrator. Her first connection with PTC was as a student.
  Before attending PTC, she worked in the child care industry (and loved it), but a lack of benefits and long hours were unsustainable over the long term. “I had no idea what I wanted to do. The counselors did a career assessment on me.” The result led her to enroll in the Human Services Program.
  After graduating from PTC, Edwards went on to earn a bachelor’s in behavioral science at Erskine College, as well as a master’s in education from the University of South Carolina and a doctorate in general psychology from Northcentral University in Prescott, AZ.
  Before moving into her campus director role a little over a year ago, Edwards was the college’s associate director of dual enrollment, working on the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood. One perk of her latest role is a much shorter commute. For 15 years, she drove 45 minutes each way to and from the Greenwood Campus. Now she lives just 10 minutes away from either the Saluda or Edgefield campus.
  “In the beginning, I was overwhelmed and wondered how I could handle two campuses at once,” she said. Splitting her time between campuses, she soon learned that her team of part-time professionals ensured she was fully informed at all times and was supported in her challenging work. “My staff and team on both campuses are absolutely fantastic!”
  On the day of her interview for this story, Edwards was juggling a number of administrative and routine maintenance issues. Her years of experience at PTC give her a decided advantage.
  “I have made some extremely lasting relationships and friendships with faculty and staff,” she said. “If I have a question, I know exactly who to call.”
  Edwards’ management style is truly inquiry-based, and she believes in exploring every possible action. She also believes in letting her part-time staff do their job without distraction.
  “I think it’s very important to research and look at all of the options and not just one way,” she said. “Our staff takes a lot of pride and works really well with students. They go the extra mile; they really do. I can’t say enough about them. … They do what they need to do without me hovering over them. I think they give me respect because of that. We do a lot of texting. We care for one another.”
  Edwards and her husband, Hoyt, are the parents of 24-year-old Jared, who has a high-functioning form of autism. Jared has been taking commercial art courses on the Greenwood campus, which is a big deal.
  “For him to go to PTC in Greenwood without his mother being there and doing as well as he has, it’s a huge success,” she said. “Of course, he has a lot of ‘moms’ on campus he can turn to. … I am very, very proud of him.”
  Like the Diversified Agriculture Program staff in Saluda, you might say that the Edwards family buys animal feed in bulk. “We have a lot of animals,” she explained. “Two dogs — Cooper and Lexie — as well as three cats and 24 chickens!” Hoyt Edwards operates Edwards Auto Service, which also is home to two “shop dogs,” Sissy and Bubba.
  Accordingly, Edwards has a soft spot for the animals that live on the Saluda Campus.
  “We absolutely love our cows here,” she said. “We are so proud of the Diversified Agriculture Program. … Roger (Estridge, instructor) has extraordinary students.”
  In her free time, Edwards enjoys reading and is a big fan of old science fiction movies as well as the original Star Trek TV series. She is as proud of her team as Captain Kirk is of his extraordinary crew.
  “My favorite thing about this job is my staff. I really mean that. We genuinely care about each other, and we care about our students and the community. All of us love working with our amazing students,” she said. “I can’t ask for a better team on either campus. They give 100%. There is a lot of pride.”

Arrests Made After Chase

  Two people have been arrested following a vehicle pursuit that began on Hollywood Road in Saluda County and ended on Clara Brown Road in Newberry County.
  The vehicle pursuit ended safely with no one being injured.
  The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody by deputies of the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and has been identified as Nicholas Ellison. Ellison has been charged with Failure to Stop for a Blue Light, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Unlawful Carry of a Handgun. He additionally had an outstanding warrant for Probation Violation.
  The passenger of the vehicle, identified as Jada Prior, has been charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Unlawfully Carry of a Handgun.
  Both Ellison and Prior are currently incarcerated at the Saluda County Detention Center.
  Sheriff Josh Price would like to praise the proactive work of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office and would also like to thank the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case.

$38 Million Gift

$38 MILLION CHECK -  State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman presented a $38 million check to the Saluda County Schools District from the State that will go toward facility upgrades. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

CHECK  CELEBRATION -  Among those celebrating  State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman presenting a $38 million check to the Saluda County Schools District were L to R, Dr. Kathy Coleman (School Board), Sen. Billy Garrett, Rep.Cal Forrest, Dr. Arlene Puryear (School Board), Jim Moore (School Board), Christy Corley Nichols (School Board), James Holloway (School Board), Sen. Shane Massey, Sharon Williams-Holloway (School Board), Supt. Spearman, Jeffery Jordan (School Board), District Supt. Dr. Harvey Livingston. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

Saluda Schools Gets $38 Million

  In perhaps the largest financial event in Saluda County history, State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman announced a $38,000,000 contribution from the State of South Carolina to the Saluda County Schools District.
  The presentation was made Thurs., June 9, in front of Saluda Elementary School, formerly Saluda High School that was built in 1950.
  The money will go toward capital improvement projects at all schools in the district. The biggest project will be combining Saluda Primary and Saluda Elementary into one new school, which will be built on the old high school football practice field, facing Wise Road.
  Spearman, a Saluda County native and product of the District schools, said she has worked toward equalizing the school systems as much as possible since she took office.
  She said she knew the disparities in school systems, dating back to her days as a school teacher.
  “I was teaching in Chapin and had everything I wanted,” Spearman said. “Then we moved back to Saluda and I taught at Hollywood and Riverside.”
  Spearman said her classroom at Hollywood was a portable and she had to supply her own record player. At Riverside, she had to paint her classroom.
  “It’s amazing the difference in just 20 miles or so across the lake,” she said.
She said a  bipartisan effort by the S.C. Legislature put in $100 million in the state budget to go toward facilities at the poorer districts in the states. The Department of Education also contributed $40 million to the project. Announcements were made at Lee and Dillon school districts earlier this week.
  Spearman said Saluda County Schools is the 6th poorest district in the state, but wanted to emphasize the students here get a good education, citing her two children who are both graduates of Saluda High School and have done well in their adult lives.
  Spearman thanked Senators Billy Garrett and Shane Massey, and Representative Cal Forrest and Bill Clyburn for their support of the project.
  Garrett, Massey and Forrest all spoke at the press conference.  Clyburn was unable to attend.
  School Board Chairman Kathy Coleman thanked her neighbor, Spearman, and the legislative delegation for helping to make the $38,000,000 possible, and praised the work of District Superintendent Dr. Harvey Livingston, who she said worked 24-7 for the students of the District.
  Livingston also thanked those who made it possible, and said the rural students who often have to “get more for less” will greatly benefit.
  Livingston also thanked those in attendance, including Saluda Mayor Amelia Herlong and Town Council members, County Council members and county officials, County legislative delegation, school board members, school administrators, teachers and the press.
QUOTES:
“With school facilities approaching 100 years of age, it is long overdue that the state provides financial support for counties like Saluda which cannot afford to build new facilities on its own,” said State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. “With the generous support of the General Assembly, we are pleased to be able to provide the additional funding that these districts need to provide safe, state of the art facilities that students, families, and educators need and deserve.”
  “Today marks an extraordinary moment in history for Saluda County residents, especially our students and educators who have needed safer and more desirable facilities to teach and learn in for quite some time,” said S.C. Representative Cal Forrest who represents District 39 in the General Assembly. “I am excited for the state’s investment in our County and look forward to seeing the lasting impact it will have on generations to come.”
  “This investment by the State will help us provide the resources that our students and teachers have needed for decades,” said Dr. Kathy Coleman, Chair of the Saluda County School District Board of Trustees. “Superintendent Spearman’s dedication to our rural school districts is unprecedented and she continues to fight for education for all children in South Carolina.”
  “We are extremely grateful for the investment made by the State of South Carolina to improve the educational environment for our students, teachers, and community,” said Dr. Harvey Livingston, Superintendent of Saluda County School District. “We commend Superintendent Spearman’s leadership in her continued fight for improvements in public education, especially in rural districts such as ours.”

May Returns To Average

  After a big rainfall in April, May’s figures returned to normal.
  The May rainfall totaled 3.34 inches, bringing the year’s total to 17.13. This compares to 19.23 inches that fell during the same time last year.
  May’s temperatures were warm. The temperatures ranged from a high of 68 on May 9 to 95 on May 20. The lowest morning temperature, 46, was recorded on May 10.
  This information was reported by NWS observer Edwin Riley at the Saluda CPW.
 
 

SHS Class of 2022

Saluda High School Class of 2022

Saluda High School heldcommencement exercises Sat.,June 4, 9 a.m., at the Bettis Herlong Stadium at Mathews Field.

Passenger Dies In
One Vehicle Wreck

  A Hepzibah, GA, woman died in an one vehicle accidents in Saluda County last week.
 On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, just after 11:00 AM Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a motor vehicle collision on Hightower Road near Berryland Road in Saluda.  
  The collision involved a single vehicle, Dodge Ram 1500 extended cab truck, exiting the left side of the gravel road, hitting a ditch and fence before overturning in a field.  The occupant of the vehicle, later found to be the passenger, was pronounced dead at the scene.    The victim has been identified as Kailey Blumel, age 20 of Hephzibah, GA.  The preliminary investigation revealed the collision occurred on Monday, May 30th between 10:00 PM and 11:45 PM. The overturned vehicle was discovered and reported by a passerby on Tuesday morning.  
  The driver, who has been identified as 22 year old John Bannister from Evans, Georgia was injured and taken to a local hospital where his condition his unknown.
  A full investigation is ongoing by the Coroner’s Office, SC Hwy. Patrol and the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.   The Coroner’s Office wishes to extend heartfelt sympathies to the family of Miss Blumel.  The Coroner’s Office would also like to thank the agencies mentioned above, as well as other first responders to include Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Fire Service and Saluda County Dispatch for their special care and concern at the scene.

 ATTENTION!
NEW DEADLINE

  As most of our readers know our newspaper is printed by the Index-Journal in Greenwood.
 Wed. June 1,  the I-J announced it was cutting back on the number of days it is printing. Because Tuesday is one of the days being cut, the Standard-Sentinel must now send its pages to the printer on FRIDAY (starting this week), rather than MONDAY, so that the paper can be printed on Sunday night.
  The deadline for submitting advertising, stories, photographs and classifieds is now THURSDAY by 2 p.m. We will still pick up our paper at the printers and put some papers in the stores on Tuesday morning. That will not change.
  We apologize if this causes any inconvenience. The I-J says the eliminated days of publication may be reinstated if the economy improves.
Thanks, Ralph

County Does Well In
Small Business Ranking

  SmartAsset has released an analysis of the small business landscape in South Carolina.
  The study measured IRS data on the number of small businesses operating in each county, how much income they generate and the amount they pay in taxes.
  Saluda County ranked among the top places in South Carolina for small business owners! For a look at where other top counties in South Carolina ranked, check out the table below:

 Additional study details, including the methodology and interactive map, can be found athttps://smartasset.com/checking-account/savings-calculator#southcarolina/smallBusinessIndex-3