By Mike McCombs
The Island News
Rep. Shannon Erickson (R-124), the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, has appointed Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH) President and CEO Russell Baxley and Coosa Elementary Principal Melissa Pender to serve as members of the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC).
The EOC is an independent, non-partisan group consisting of 18 educators, business people, and elected officials appointed by the Governor and General Assembly and charged with encouraging continuous improvement in S.C. public schools, approving academic content standards and assessments, overseeing the implementation of the state’s educational accountability system, and documenting improvements in education.
“The Lowcountry is not appointed or represented as much as those closer to Columbia, …” Erickson said. “One of the perks of being a chair of a committee is bringing people that will bring good things to the table for everybody.”
Under Baxley’s leadership over the past seven-plus years, BMH has increased healthcare access for its community through new urgent care clinics, cancer treatment centers, provider recruitment and the BMH Care Anywhere telehealth app.
He has also fostered partnerships with the county, city, school district and local educational institutions to make successful on-site clinical education and workforce development programs a reality.
“What Russell is doing with workforce and his innovations are something really important for our education system to consider,” Erickson said. “Also, his perspective in healthcare is somethng important to bring to the table.”
Under his tenure, BMH has been recognized among the nation’s 150 “Great Community Hospitals” by Becker’s Hospital Review and one of the top 30 general acute care hospitals in the country for patient safety and quality.
“I am excited to help ensure South Carolina’s students are set up for success and ready to excel in meaningful careers,” Baxley said in a news release. “We have the opportunity to not only make a difference in the lives of our school children, but the future of all South Carolinians.”
Baxley holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Clemson University. He and his wife Stephanie live with their young son in Beaufort.
Pender has 25 years of experience in public education. She served 18 years as a teacher at Beaufort Elementary, Davis Elementary and Coosa Elementary before becoming assistant principal and then principal in 2019. Coosa Elementary’s overall school rating increased from Average in 2019 to Excellent under her leadership. Additionally, the overall percentage of students meeting and exceeding state standards increased, and Coosa Elementary was recognized as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School.
“Melissa is a master educator and one of the state’s finest principals,” Erickson said. “I know her as a parent and a friend. I’ve been in the classroom and seen first-hand how good she is with policies and curriculum, something needed (on the Committee), especially for how well her school is working.”
Pender earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina, her Master of Arts in Integration of Technology into Education from Lesley University and her Master of Arts in Elementary Administration from the University of South Carolina.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with others who have a shared vision of setting our children on the path of excellence as they become active citizens of our state and global community,” Pender said in a news release.
Pender has two stepchildren and a son with her husband, Brian. She also teaches for VirtualSC and recently achieved her pilot’s license.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews.com.
