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Posted on 09/29/2004 1:10:10 PM PDT by Former Fetus
District 1 selects Hilliard Wilder
Former Clarendon 2 superintendent to lead Summerton schools
By SHARRON HALEY Item Staff Writer shaley@theitem.com
SUMMERTON — Dr. Rose Hilliard Wilder was chosen Tuesday to replace Dr. Clarence E. Willie as superintendent of Clarendon School District 1 beginning Oct. 11.
After meeting behind closed doors for 40 minutes in a special called meeting Tuesday, the District 1 board of trustees voted unanimously to offer the position to Wilder, who was sitting in the audience.
Willie left District 1 to become superintendent of Fairfield County School District, a job Wilder held from July 2001 until July 2003, when she was fired by the board for unspecified reasons. Prior to her employment in Fairfield County, Wilder worked her way through the ranks in Clarendon School District 2 from teacher to superintendent, a position she held for seven years. In June 2001, the Clarendon 2 board allowed Wilder to resign her $94,000 position with one year left on her contract or risk being fired by the board.
Wilder will be leaving a job as academic facilitator in Richland School District 1.
Wilder has worked in public schools for more than 25 years. She holds a doctorate in education, a master's in education and a Bachelor of Science degree from South Carolina State University.
Board Chairman John D. Bonaparte said the board chose Wilder over Dr. Nathaniel Nelson, the principal at Scott's Branch Intermediate School who was also a candidate, because of her qualifications.
Bonaparte said Wilder's qualifications and her abilities outweigh the fact that she was fired from her two prior jobs as superintendent.
"We looked at all of it," he said. "There are a number of board members in Fairfield County and Clarendon County who still support Dr. Wilder."
Wilder will be paid $97,000 a year, the same as her predecessor, Bonaparte said.
Following the meeting, Wilder said she was excited to be back working in Clarendon County.
"This has been my home for 17 years," she said. "I'm very excited about being a part of the Clarendon 1 family."
Wilder said she believes her successes in Clarendon School District 2 played heavily in her favor when the board selected her for the job in District 1.
On Oct. 11, Wilder's first order of business will be to visit each school and talk with the staff and personnel.
"My top priority will be student achievement," Wilder said. "The community and the school district must have a good relationship and have the best interest of the children at heart."
During the district's search for a new superintendent, residents of District 1 told board members they wanted a visible superintendent, a person who works well with parents and the community.
"I'll have an open-door policy," Wilder said. "Everything will be accomplished openly and honestly."
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