Beaufort County School Board: Peter Kristian to work for teacher retention, compensation

Peter Kristian is a retired teacher and one of three candidates running for a seat on the Beaufort County School Board from District 10, which is on Hilton Head Island.

Kristian has lived on Hilton Head for 23 years and is the general manager of Hilton Head Plantation. Kristian has an extensive background in public service, including past chairman of the Town Planning Commission, a past chair and present member of the Town Zoning Board of Appeals, and works on the town’s comprehensive plan.

Kristian holds a BS degree from Manhattan Collage and a MS degree for Long Island University. He lists is priorities as teacher retention and working to increase teacher compensation.

The Island Packet send questionnaires to candidates in contested races and limited their responses to 150 words.

Here are Kristian’s answers:

Do you have any current relation to Beaufort Co. Schools? In what school district or community activities or organizations have you been involved?

I was a high school and elementary school teacher for almost 13 years. I held licenses to teach in two states.

I served on the Town of Hilton Head Island’s Board of Zoning Appeals for 11 years — two years as chair — and served seven years on the Town of Hilton Head Island’s Planning Commission, two as chair. I am the co-chair of the Community Associations Institute’s (CAI), Ethic Committee, chair of CAI’s Government and Public Affairs Committee, member, CAI’s Federal Legislative Committee.

My daughter is a senior attending Hilton Head High School where she is the commanding officer for the School’s Navy ROTC unit. My wife and I have been active parents in our daughter’s educational and extra-curricular experiences.

Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?

Both the chair and vice chair of the present School Board are not running for reelection, leaving a void in leadership on the board. I have experience working with boards and know the role of the School Board is oversight, establishing sound fiscal and educational policy. Teacher retention and compensation is a priority. Although steps have been taken, inflation will continue to strain teacher salaries. I have and will continue to work with county and town governments to encourage the development of workforce housing targeting teachers and other like professionals.

Scores show that students are still recovering from pre-pandemic academic test scores. What can be done to improve student achievement?

Youngsters learn best in a group setting in school. There needs to be an effort to keep schools open and only resort to remote learning under extreme circumstances. The temptation by students, especially students with working parents, to not fully participate in remote learning is too great. Parents, grandparents, and appropriate extended family need to be engaged in their child’s educational process — from following up on homework, to reading aloud to their child, to setting a tone within the family unit that education is valued. Forestalling immediate gratification for a valuable education is expected, not optional. Community volunteers need to be recruited and encouraged to assist schools by tutoring students in need.

There are a couple of school construction projects in the works. Do you believe Beaufort Co. schools need renovation and expansion?

Technology continues to evolve and as such not only the brick and mortar needs to be evaluated for expansion or renovation, but the IT capability and internet access, especially with lower-income children, needs to be improved. Access to the internet for school academics for all students is a crucial part of education going forward.

Schools everywhere are grappling with teacher shortages. What is your plan to make sure Beaufort Co. has enough teachers and quality teachers?

We need to support and build on the advances that have been made in teacher compensation. Strides also need to be made in affordable housing so teachers can live and work in the communities they serve. Teachers need to be afforded the respect denoted from their training and responsibilities. Educators are sometimes frustrated by the perception they are not supported or valued by both school administrators and the parents of the young people they have dedicated themselves to serve. That perception if present needs to change to one of support and appreciation for all the the work that is demanded of teachers. Consideration should also be explored for assisting teachers in their continuing education .

If necessary, where would you cut the school budget? What would you consider off-limits to budget cuts?

At present there is not a need to consider cuts in the school budget. If cuts were needed in the future, teacher’s compensation would be one of the items that would be considered off limits.

What do you believe the role of schools should be in teaching children about topics such as critical race theory and sex education, including the discussion of same-sex relationships?

Academics is the most-important function of our school system, teaching them how to think — by preparing our young people to become productive members of our workforce or giving them the ability to be accepted into an institution of higher learning of their choice. CRT is not permitted in S.C. schools.

State legislation was enacted that did not include CRT in the state’s curriculum. These are family and parent responsibilities. Schools should not teach divisiveness. There are two main ingredients for a child to succeed in their academic experience — a good teacher and a family environment that values and fosters education at home.

There have recently been a number of security issues such as active shooter threats, weapons in school and fights. What is your plan for making sure schools are safe?

Parents need to have a voice in their children’s education and school safety needs to be a focus. A trained resource officer needs to be in every school building. Although these positions are funded by the state, the School Board needs to assist with the recruitment of qualified resources officers.

Teachers and students need to continue drills for lockdowns and active shooter programs. In addition, IT protections through the use of cameras and other security devices need to be thoroughly explored. I will also engage with the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office to explore additional avenues to protect our students and staff.