At the Center

Supporting & Retaining Great Teachers

Great schools start with great teachers — and keeping them must be a priority. Teachers in our district often face salary gaps of more than $10,000 compared with neighboring districts. Many love this community and don't want to leave, but financial realities force hard choices.

• Our teachers shouldn't have to choose between serving the community they love and providing for their families.
• Recruiting and retaining great teachers directly improves student outcomes.
• When we treat teachers like professionals, students benefit from stability and experience in the classroom.

On the district's Recruitment and Retention Task Force, Meredith helped turn teacher feedback into a practical policy change on professional dress for hands-on classrooms — small, but proof that listening to teachers works.

Smart, Responsible Financial Leadership

Because of South Carolina's Act 388 funding structure, DD2 receives less funding per student than many neighboring districts — even as our community keeps growing. That makes thoughtful, data-driven leadership more important, not less.

• Every dollar should be spent with student outcomes in mind.
• Data should guide decisions so we know what's actually working for students.
• When resources are limited, leadership matters even more.

Strong Partnerships with Parents & Families

Some of the most important conversations Meredith had as a teacher were with parents about how to help their child succeed. Schools succeed when those conversations are welcomed — not avoided.

• Parents should feel informed, respected, and involved in their children's education.
• When teachers and parents work together, students thrive.
• When teachers feel supported, students succeed, and parents feel heard, our entire community benefits.

Strong Advocacy for Our District

We may not control the state funding formula — but we can absolutely advocate for our students and our community. DD2 needs board members who actively work with local governments and state legislators, and Meredith has built those relationships.

• Our district benefits when local leaders work together.
• Advocating for our schools requires strong relationships and a willingness to speak up.
• Our students deserve a strong voice at every level.