The Manning Times invited candidates in local and state races to participate in a question-and-answer feature addressing their backgrounds, qualifications, priorities and positions on issues affecting our communities.
Candidates seeking the same office received identical questions, allowing readers to compare their responses on the same topics. Questions were tailored to the responsibilities of each office, with some addressing recent developments covered by The Manning Times. The Q&As are organized by race, with candidates listed alphabetically by last name within each race.
Candidates were asked to limit their responses to approximately 100 to 150 words per question and were offered the option of participating through a phone or in-person interview. Candidates seeking the same office received identical response guidelines. Answers are published as submitted, with only minor edits for grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity, space and AP style. Response lengths vary according to the information provided by each candidate.
All candidates were given the same deadline to participate, which was subsequently extended to 10 p.m. Oct. 19 to allow additional time for responses.
Robert “Bobby” Fleming, incumbent
Tell voters about yourself, including your background, professional experience, community involvement and what motivated you to seek or continue serving on the Clarendon County School District Board of Trustees. What experience would you bring to representing your district?
I am Robert Bobby Fleming, and I have deep roots in Clarendon County. As a native, I understand our community's unique needs and values. My role as a senior funeral director has endowed me with invaluable skills in empathy and communication. These are essential for serving on the CCSD Board of Trustees, where making informed and compassionate decisions is critical.
I have also served on the board in Clarendon 2 and now CCSD for more than three decades. Additionally, my involvement in local organizations and my leadership training through Leadership South Carolina have equipped me with a broad perspective on community issues, enabling me to advocate effectively for our students and families.
What do you believe are the three most pressing challenges facing Clarendon County School District, and what specific steps would you support to address them during your term?
The three challenges include:
What are the most significant needs or concerns facing students, families and schools in District 6, and how would you ensure those concerns are represented in decisions affecting the school district as a whole?
In District 6, the most pressing concerns involve access to mental health services and academic support. I plan to establish a cross-district task force to ensure we address these effectively, gathering input from teachers, parents and students to reflect their needs in decision-making processes.
The district's 2026 school report cards showed improvements at some schools, while others experienced declines. What do you believe the results reveal about the district's academic progress? How should the board evaluate the effectiveness of academic interventions, tutoring and other support programs, and what changes would you support to improve student achievement in areas where performance continues to lag?
The mixed results from the 2026 report cards suggest that while some areas are improving and either are excellent or on the road to excellence, others need immediate intervention. As we strive to reach the state superintendent's goal of 75% of our students meeting standards, I believe we should continue to implement data-driven evaluations for tutoring programs, using metrics to assess their effectiveness.
Continuous feedback from teachers and students will be vital in adjusting these programs. Additionally, I would advocate for increased resources in classrooms with persistently low performance. We are well on our way, and I am very proud of our growth as a district.
Maintaining safe learning environments, addressing student behavior and improving attendance are important responsibilities for school districts. What do you see as the greatest challenges in these areas, and what specific policies, programs or resources would you support to ensure students and employees feel safe while keeping students engaged and in school?
The greatest challenges include bullying, which affects student mental health, and absenteeism. I would support anti-bullying programs, integrating conflict resolution into the curriculum, and initiatives that recognize and reward good attendance. Implementing a positive behavioral intervention approach can foster engagement and safety.
Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers and staff remains an important issue for school districts, particularly in rural communities. What steps would you support to improve employee retention, strengthen morale and ensure students have access to qualified educators?
To tackle recruitment challenges, I would propose partnerships with local universities to create a pipeline for new teachers, offering internships and job shadowing opportunities. Moreover, we should promote a positive school culture by recognizing teachers' efforts through incentives and support networks that provide mentorship.
The school board is responsible for developing and overseeing the district's budget while balancing academic needs, staffing, facilities and other operating expenses. What would be your spending priorities, and how would you ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and transparently?
My spending priorities would focus on enhancing student services, preserving instructional staff positions and upgrading facilities. To ensure transparency, I would support public budget workshops and regular updates on expenditures, inviting community input to align our financial decisions with the public's needs.
Clarendon County School District serves communities across a large geographic area, with schools facing differing facility and transportation needs. What do you believe are the district's most pressing infrastructure and transportation challenges, and what specific improvements would you prioritize to address them?
Infrastructure challenges are significant, particularly in terms of age and accessibility of facilities. I would prioritize improvements to ensure all schools provide safe and conducive learning environments, pursuing state and federal grant options for funding these initiatives while conducting community assessments to better understand transportation needs.
How would you improve communication between the school board, parents, employees and the public? What steps would you support to make board decisions more transparent and ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to raise concerns and receive responses?
To enhance communication, I would propose the creation of regular community advisory boards where parents can voice concerns and provide feedback. Additionally, utilizing digital platforms for updates and transparency in decision-making can keep families informed, making it easier for them to engage with the district's initiatives.
School board members may have differing opinions about district policies, spending and leadership decisions. How would you work with fellow board members when disagreements arise, and how would you balance supporting district leadership with holding the superintendent and administration accountable for results?
Working through disagreements will come down to respect and understanding. I believe in collaborative discussions where every board member feels heard. Establishing protocols for accountability will be crucial, providing clear metrics for evaluating the superintendent's effectiveness while ensuring the board operates in the best interests of the district.
These responses reflect my commitment to the community and focus on collaborative, data-driven solutions to foster the best educational environment for our students.
