EASLEY - Four of six School District of Pickens County candidates participating in a candidate forum Tuesday night said they are united on many issues, especially when it comes to finances and classroom teacher support. District 5 candidates Dale Cantrell, Judy Edwards and Randy Bowers and District 3 candidate Selena Brinson attended the forum, which was held at the Hampton Library and sponsored by the Clemson League of Women Voters.

District 5 candidate Essie Clark and District 3 incumbent Alex Saitta were unable to attend. The District 5 seat, being vacated by Jim Brice, represents the Easley area, while District 3 represents Pickens. The candidates were unanimous in their opposition to The Greenville Plan, a controversial funding method the school board approved for its $315 million facilities improvement plan. Although the legislature voted to abolish the plan, the school board approved the plan prior to the abolishment date.

"My customer said his property taxes went up 230 percent on commercial property," Bowers, a local businessman, said. "That's excessive no matter how you slice it."

Edwards said the school board and district leaders should determine what is needed and what isn't.

"I'm unsure whether four new schools are needed, but I know that four new football fields aren't," Edwards said.

While agreeing that costs should be reduced where necessary, Brinson added, "I'm excited about the new schools, and I want to get our community excited."

The candidates said school district administration is too "top heavy" and out of touch with the needs of classroom teachers because they rarely listen to their needs. They said teachers are afraid to voice concerns to the board, out of fear of reprisals from the district office.

"I would do away with the three R's - resign, relocate or retire," Bowers said. "In that environment, who can function properly?"

The candidates said the superintendent is answerable to the school board only and that they wouldn't hesitate to vote against any recommendation made if they felt it was not in the best interests of Pickens County.

"Somebody needs to hold somebody accountable because, right now, that's not happening," Cantrell said.

The candidates said they favor elimination of what they consider to be "non-essential" programs, all agreeing on the district athletic director position, while Bowers called for consolidation of school bus routes, Cantrell for abolishing programs funded simply for fear of losing budget allocations, idling school buses and duplication of services and Brinson on additional student parking lots.

The candidates differed when it came to classroom technology. Cantrell and Edwards said the district relies too heavily on technology, rather than teachers, for classroom instruction. But Brinson and Bowers said teachers have embraced technology, such as laptops and Promethean Activboards, to enhance learning. The candidates concluded the forum by pledging their support for whoever wins the two board seats.

"No matter what happens, we're going to help each other," Edwards said. "If we can get on board working together for one cause, for the entire district, we can get things done."

Cantrell said the community must come together, including teachers, administrators and board members "to make the school district the best itcan be."