Directory of Trustees
About the School Board Trustees
School board members serve terms of four years and are elected from single-member districts. You may write, call, or fax your elected representatives at the addresses and numbers listed below.
For a map that helps identify your School Board Member, view this Kershaw County Map of School Board Seats.
Dr. James P. Smith, Chairman
Seat 5, Term: Jan. 2017 - Dec. 2024
Contact Information:
PO Box 1345
Camden, SC 29020
rezsmith@bellsouth.net
803-432-8444 (h)
803-513-0999 (c)
PO Box 1345
Camden, SC 29020
rezsmith@bellsouth.net
803-432-8444 (h)
803-513-0999 (c)
Biography:
Dr. Smith has a desire to see that ALL children succeed. Serving on the school board expands his opportunity to be involved in that firsthand. As a husband, father, and pastor, he values the importance of the family, faith, and community support systems that help undergird children and their parents. Attending Kershaw County schools himself and graduating from North Central High School, Dr. Smith experienced how schools play a vital role in strengthening families. This became his life’s goal and he continues to pursue it in leading his congregation at St. Paul United Methodist Church in the Knights Hill community. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Coker College with a degree in Sociology. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary focusing his work on “Forgiveness and Reconciliation That Leads to Healing and Wholeness.”
Dr. Smith has a desire to see that ALL children succeed. Serving on the school board expands his opportunity to be involved in that firsthand. As a husband, father, and pastor, he values the importance of the family, faith, and community support systems that help undergird children and their parents. Attending Kershaw County schools himself and graduating from North Central High School, Dr. Smith experienced how schools play a vital role in strengthening families. This became his life’s goal and he continues to pursue it in leading his congregation at St. Paul United Methodist Church in the Knights Hill community. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Coker College with a degree in Sociology. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary focusing his work on “Forgiveness and Reconciliation That Leads to Healing and Wholeness.”
Mrs. Shirley Halley, Vice-Chairman
Seat 4, Term: Jan. 2011 - Dec. 2026
Biography:
I graduated from Claflin University and I received my M.Ed. from SC State University. I received 30 hours beyond my Masters from USC in Columbia. I have two children and three grandchildren. I am serving on the School Board to be an advocate for all the children and citizens of Kershaw County. Teaching and serving have always been my passion.
I graduated from Claflin University and I received my M.Ed. from SC State University. I received 30 hours beyond my Masters from USC in Columbia. I have two children and three grandchildren. I am serving on the School Board to be an advocate for all the children and citizens of Kershaw County. Teaching and serving have always been my passion.
Mr. Ron Blackmon
Seat 9, Term: Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2024
Contact Information:
2824 Kershaw Highway
Westville, SC 29175
carolinafitness2009@yahoo.com
803-427-1711 (c)
Biography:
Coach Ron Blackmon is a retired, certified educator/coach who spent his entire educational career working in South Carolina public schools. He earned his BA and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University; and was the founder of the South Carolina Strength Coaches Association, and the first inductee into the SCSCA Hall of Fame. His dedication to all students, including special needs students, and his community were influential factors in his desire to serve on the Kershaw County School Board.
2824 Kershaw Highway
Westville, SC 29175
carolinafitness2009@yahoo.com
803-427-1711 (c)
Biography:
Coach Ron Blackmon is a retired, certified educator/coach who spent his entire educational career working in South Carolina public schools. He earned his BA and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University; and was the founder of the South Carolina Strength Coaches Association, and the first inductee into the SCSCA Hall of Fame. His dedication to all students, including special needs students, and his community were influential factors in his desire to serve on the Kershaw County School Board.
Mrs. Autumn Furniss
Seat 3, Term: Jan. 2021 - Dec. 2024
Biography:
I am a legal assistant with the Savage Law Firm and have been a resident of Kershaw County for 30 years. I have been married to Charlie "Allen" Furniss of Camden for 25 years. I am the mother of four and grandmother of five - four of whom currently attend public schools in Kershaw County. I worked at Blaney Elementary for 4 years as a certified paraprofessional teaching assistant and served on the PTO and School Improvement Council while employed at Blaney. I ran for school board because I want to see Kershaw County's children reach their highest potential- to succeed in a fast-changing world. Today's children will have to compete globally for jobs as adults, and I am committed to giving Kershaw County's students the educational foundation they will need to succeed.
Mr. Matt Irick
Seat 7, Term: Jan. 2009 - Dec. 2024
Contact Information:
1603 Mill Street
Camden, SC 29020
mirick@shgcpa.com
803-432-1424 (w)
803-432-1831 (f)
1603 Mill Street
Camden, SC 29020
mirick@shgcpa.com
803-432-1424 (w)
803-432-1831 (f)
Biography:
I am a CPA in Camden at Sheheen, Hancock & Godwin, LLP. I attended Kershaw County Schools, graduated from Camden High School and then from Winthrop University. I have two daughters, Abby (17) and Avery (13). I chose to serve on the School Board because I love my community and wanted to continue to give back after having served on numerous boards of local non-profits.
Dr. Charles King
Seat 8, Term: Jan. 2023 - Dec. 2026
Contact Information:
804 Hermitage Pond Road
Camden, SC 29020
thesaltyprincipal@gmail.com
803-708-3232 (o)
Biography:
Before retiring, I served as an administrator at several schools in Kershaw County. I’m very passionate about our district and I’m happy to serve our students, staff, and my constituents as a school board trustee. Some of my other experiences include serving as an associate superintendent, owner of a health club and veterinary clinic, and as an adjunct professor at the college level. Additionally, I was a middle and high school teacher, and before that I served in the United States Marine Corps. I am married to Wendy (who is a veterinarian), and my children (Charlie and Beth) are grown and “on their own.” We are all very close, and I love spending time with family and friends.
Camden, SC 29020
thesaltyprincipal@gmail.com
803-708-3232 (o)
Biography:
Before retiring, I served as an administrator at several schools in Kershaw County. I’m very passionate about our district and I’m happy to serve our students, staff, and my constituents as a school board trustee. Some of my other experiences include serving as an associate superintendent, owner of a health club and veterinary clinic, and as an adjunct professor at the college level. Additionally, I was a middle and high school teacher, and before that I served in the United States Marine Corps. I am married to Wendy (who is a veterinarian), and my children (Charlie and Beth) are grown and “on their own.” We are all very close, and I love spending time with family and friends.
Mr. Todd McDonald
Seat 1, Term: Jan. 2017 - Dec. 2024
General Information:
44 Kin Loch Road
Lugoff, SC 29078
todd@toddmcdonald.me
803-463-7901 (c)
44 Kin Loch Road
Lugoff, SC 29078
todd@toddmcdonald.me
803-463-7901 (c)
Biography:
Todd McDonald is the SC Sales Manager for Guaranteed Rate Affinity. Todd grew up in Kershaw County, Graduated from Camden high school in 1988 and then attended and graduated from The Citadel in 1992. Todd is married to Regina McDonald and has 3 children Evan, Caleb, and Alyssa. All have attended public school in Lugoff, SC. Todd ran for School Board in order to make a difference for the students and ensure the highest level of education and safety for our next generation.
Mr. Donald R. Reeves Jr.
Seat 2, Term: Jan. 2023 - Dec. 2026
Contact Information:
Biography:
Donald R. Reeves is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel with a long service record of 33 years. He currently works by US Government contract as a Sr. Strategic Logistician, Military Exercise and Training Planner. He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and Staff College and holds an MBA from the University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior University, New York, New York. Don is a two-time Operation Iraqi Freedom Combat Veteran who is Commanded at the Battalion, Company, and Detachment level. Mr. Reeves is a recipient of the Bronze Star, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. Don has been married to his lovely wife Marie Reeves for 30 years, and they have raised five children - two boys and three girls. Two of the boys are graduates of Lugoff Elgin High School and the youngest daughter and oldest grandson are currently students in the Kershaw School system. Over the years, he has served his family, his community, and his country, as a teacher, a youth pastor, church board member, and basketball coach.
Mr. David Roberts
Seat/Term:
Seat 6, Term: Jan. 2023 - Dec. 2026
Contact Information:
6102 Lockhart Road
Kershaw, SC 29067
davidandstephanieand3@gmail.com
803-427-3280 (c)
Biography:
David Roberts serves as the Chief Operations Officer for Sandhills Medical Foundation, a local non-profit. He attended Mt. Pisgah Elementary and later graduated from North Central High. David is also a graduate of North Greenville University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He actively serves in his local church alongside his wife, Stephanie, of over 19 years. David’s wife has served our school district since 2012 as a special education assistant and special education teacher. He is also a proud father of three boys, each attending one of the three North Central area schools. He ran for School Board Seat 6 with integrity and persistence. It is also his intention to serve on the Board with that same integrity and persistence while employing common sense solutions to fulfill the mission of KCSD: “Educating all students for success."