Most candidates for the Nov. 4 school board election in Pickens County said at an event Tuesday that they are in favor of cutting spending, redirecting school district administration efforts, showing more support for classroom teachers and doing a better job of teaching students.

“Funding for education takes the largest portion of our county tax dollars, so this is an important event for all county taxpayers,” said Phillip Bowers, chairman of the Pickens County Republican Party and host of the debate, which the party organized.

Candidates took turns answering questions Tuesdays night from Bowers, the press and the audience on a full range of topics from why graduation rates are declining in the county to a recent call from Superintendent Jim Rex for a “world-class education” being considered a “constitutional right for all South Carolina public school students.”

Those candidates in attendance were Dale Cantrell, Judy Edwards, Essie Clark and Randy Bowers, all running for the Easley, or District 5, seat on the School District of Pickens County Board of Trustees. This is the seat vacated by Dr. James Brice (physician) who is retiring. Alex Saitta, incumbent trustee running for re-election to the Pickens, or District 3, seat.

Selena Brinson and Dan Trouten are on the ballot opposing Saitta but were not in attendance.

Dr. Herbert Cooper is running unopposed for the Clemson, or District 1, post and was not present.

In response to the Rex proposal, Edwards, Clark and Cantrell called for the best education to be provided for all students in the district at a reasonable cost, while Saitta said more money is not the answer, but better management of existing funds is needed. Bowers said he was opposed to any proposal that would require a constitutional amendment and existing money is not being used effectively.

New data from the South Carolina Department of Education indicates that the Pickens County graduation rate has slipped from 75 percent to 65 percent. Candidates were asked why they thought that was the case. Bowers said it was the lack for a climate for learning, Saitta said it is not the curriculum regardless of what the district office thinks, Cantrell said it is because teacher moral is low, Clark cited lack of classroom discipline, and Edwards said the district is changing things to make test scores look better and causing students to lose interest in school.