In this episode, we learn about Clover School District's journey to a successful school bond referendum. Join us as Dr. Sheila Quinn, Superintendent of Schools, shares insights into the district's response to rapid growth, culminating in a successful voter-approved bond in 2022. Discover how Clover School District navigated challenges, engaged the community, and prioritized strategic planning to meet the evolving needs of their students. From visionary planning to collaborative design, Dr. Quinn offers a behind-the-scenes look at the process of envisioning and building new facilities, includin ..read more

Driving positive change in education is never easy. Whether you're a school superintendent, district leader, or simply passionate about education, the transformative journey of Richland School District 2 offers valuable knowledge and inspiration for any district looking to make improvements that will serve students and teachers for years to come. In our latest episode, we welcome Will Anderson, the Chief Operations Officer for Richland School District 2, who guides us through the complexities and strategy behind the school’s groundbreaking $468,406,000 improvement program—which included the pa ..read more

Minta Ferguson is the Director of Planning for McMillan Pazdan Smith Advisors, a division that creates customized, data-driven facility plans that guide construction and renovation projects.  How does a team create the best educational environments using data? Join us for this discussion on how data-driven planning can be a valuable resource for determining financial feasibility, optimizing a building's use, efficiency, and more.  Have a specific question for Minta's Advisors? Contact Us and we'll connect you with the team.  ..read more

Education has not always been thought of as an innovative space, but change is on the horizon, sparked by the disruptions of the last few years. Students are required to have a different skill set than previous generations, with technology and collaboration at the forefront of those demands. The education system has faced immense challenges recently, but with those challenges comes a great opportunity to innovate and make an even greater impact on students today.  Our guest, Doug Roberts, has worked with leading ed-tech entrepreneurs and district administrators for almost 20 years, develo ..read more

In this final part of our three-part series on how the Continuum in Lake City, South Carolina is redefining education, we are joined by Harry Lesesne, Executive Director of the Darla Moore Foundation, and around 24:00 by Jeanette Altman, Executive Director of the Continuum.  Listeners will learn more about the mission and vision of the Darla Moore Foundation--both with the Continuum and across the region. The reasoning behind the "Continuum" name is also defined, with both guests explaining what business partnerships and philanthropy were necessary to pull off this impressive and innovati ..read more

This is Part 2 of our 3-Part mini-series that's an in-depth exploration of the Continuum, a regional training and education center in Lake City, South Carolina. In this episode, host Ben Thompson interviews two Higher Ed leaders to discuss the college and university partnerships that make The Continuum so unique. In the first interview, Ben sits down with Ed Bethea, former interim President of Florence-Darlington Technical College and current Special Assistant to the President. Mr. Bethea has served FDTC since 1989 and was on the planning committee for the Continuum. Ben also interviews Dr. Fr ..read more

Early Education + Community Building Jasper County’s mission brief is “Student-centered…Future-Focused.” Many schools have similar mission statements, but how does that mission shape planning when you’re running a smaller school district? Programs in early childhood education can help foster community support while proper Capital Improvement planning can turn visions into reality. In this episode, Michelle Smyth talks with Dr. Rechel Anderson, Superintendent of Jasper County Schools in South Carolina, to dive into how early education programs can support community needs and how their integrati ..read more

Ben Thompson introduces new host Michelle Smyth, a practicing K-12 architect for MPS in Charleston, who will be inviting guests to join discussions during the "Summer School Series" of this podcast, premiering July 6th. Stay tuned for more informative episodes coming soon!  ..read more

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Russell Booker, our episode one guest, for a fresh discussion about equity. What do you think of when you hear the words equity, equality of outcome, diversity, access, and mobility? We hear these words used in politics, social settings, and in the workplace, but what does 'equity' mean in an educational context? What are the current roadblocks to equity in education? What are some of the  misconceptions about how it’s achieved? Is it possible for every student to receive the resources needed to ensure successful educational outcomes? These are just a ..read more

Managing Constant Change with Superintendent Joe Pye: How does a school Superintendent stay prepared and resilient in an environment of almost constant change? In this episode, Ben talks to Superintendent Joe Pye, a visionary leader with 48 years of public education service (22 as Superintendent of Dorchester School District 2). The schools in Pye’s district have a reputation for innovation and successful student career outcomes. How does he plan what to budget for? What is his communication style in the face of constant change? What attributes have led to his district’s stability and success ..read more