Recordings take jury inside fierce standoff

Prosecution introduces gripping evidence

February 16, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Tears and the angry sounds of gunfire gripped the Abbeville County Court House Thursday.
A jury in Steven Bixby’s double-murder trial received its first sights and sounds of a heated, 14-hour standoff that took place on Dec. 8, 2003, between members of numerous law enforcement agencies, the defendant and his father Arthur Bixby.
That day’s events resulted in the shooting deaths of two law officers, Sgt. Danny Wilson and Constable Donnie Ouzts.
For most of Thursday, the prosecution presented its evidence — along with eyewitness testimony from State Law Enforcement Division agents — to support charges filed against the defendant for weapons possession and assault.
One particular moment, however, seized the courtroom emotionally: the introduction into evidence of a picture depicting slain Sgt. Danny Wilson’s hands handcuffed behind his back.
During the questioning of SLED agent John Bishop, who aided in the retrieval of Wilson’s body from the Bixby residence, by Eighth Circuit Deputy Solicitor Andrew Hodges the state’s evidence Exhibit 21 was placed on a projection screen for the jury’s viewing.
Immediately, the visual of Wilson’s hands in his own handcuffs brought forth loud sobs and crying from several members of his family who were in attendance.
The defense rose in obvious objection, but even before the attorneys could speak Tenth Circuit Judge Alexander Macaulay excused the jury from the courtroom before addressing the gallery with a statement that said in part that the courtroom was “not the place for those emotions.”
No other disturbances took place and testimony continued following a stern admonishment from the judge directed at the prosecution for the photo having remained visible for the length of time it had without any testimony to accompany it.
At other times it was the dramatic audio evidence – including a lengthy audio recording of an intermittent gun battle (ferocious in its intensity at times) and Steven Bixby’s eventual surrender to authorities – that grabbed everyone’s attention.
After calling SLED agent Nina Gunn – who logged audio recordings during the standoff from the command post – to the witness chair, the prosecution played a lengthy audio recording that chronicled the events inside the Bixby home between the time a ferocious fusillade of initial gunfire broke out and the surrender of Steven Bixby.
Law enforcement officials (via a wiretap that had been authorized earlier) were able to listen in as apparently a phone line within the residence was knocked “off the hook.”
The continuous recording begins at 8:55 p.m.
The tape records the sounds of several attempted phone calls by police to speak with the Bixbys, all of which were not answered and ended when the calls went to voice mail.
When the recording returned following a final call, listeners were suddenly inundated with the sounds of a small-scale war breaking out between persons armed with automatic machine guns, pistols and high-caliber rifles.
Testimony established that the gunfire erupted after agents of the SLED S.W.A.T. unit’s “entry team” had removed Wilson’s body from the Bixby home, and upon the entry into the house of a second SLED robot.
That’s when all hell broke loose, according to witnesses
During his testimony, SLED Chief Robert M. Stewart said one of the high-caliber rounds fired from the Bixby home “went through a police car like tissue paper.” The initial shot that started the gun battle passed between SLED agents Keith Johnson and Marion Baker.
Baker saw a “big fireball” and heard the round go “CRACK!”
“There’s no doubt in my mind (the bullet) passed between our heads,” Baker added in his testimony.
“We were pinned down and taking fire from a high-powered rifle,” said SLED agent Fred Powell.
This continued on and off for the better part of an hour – with long periods of silence followed by the sudden return of small arms fire and the report of a higher-caliber weapon. At one point, following a round of gunfire, an audible grunt is distinguishable from someone in the home.
Eventually, several different voices were heard.
They are the voices of law enforcement officers and others asking for the Bixbys to surrender.
Over a loudspeaker or some sort of amplification device, a male law enforcement official says “you ... in the house ... come out with your hands up ... you are completely surrounded ... you have no option!”
The next audible sound is that of what seems to be tear gas or a smoke-round canister hitting the floor, hissing and spitting as the contents are spread into the home.
“They just told him that they’re fixing to come in if he doesn’t come out,” a slightly-muffled female voice says.
That statement was followed by a male voice saying “Give it up, boy. ... I know you’re hit.”
This is followed by another drawn-out exchange of shots believed to have been fired in both directions – with bullets passing each other as they either entered or exited the home.
A police radio (identified to be that of Danny Wilson) continues to broadcast the local police band. It’s believed that the Bixbys were able to listen to the radio – and the constant police chatter – throughout the standoff.
There is a vibration of some sort, followed by a voice that appears distant at first before increasing in volume.
It is the voice of Steven Bixby trying to surrender.
“Hello ... hello ... I’m surrendering ... I’m unarmed ... don’t shoot ... I am unarmed ... I am unarmed.”
He is directed outside the residence to a spot in the yard beyond a SLED armored personnel carrier, where he is then taken into custody at about 9:21 p.m.
The recording ends at around 10:55 after a severely wounded Arthur Bixby has finally given himself up.
The majority of the SLED agents questioned Thursday maintained they saw “muzzle flashes” from opposite sides of the house (indicating both Bixby men were shooting). SLED agents indicated the opening shot came from the left side of the home’s opening front doorway.
The defense countered by getting the officers to state they couldn’t ascertain the identities of the individual shooters (while seemingly painting Arthur Bixby as having fired the opening shot by reason of his having sustained a gunshot wound) and by emphasizing that no law enforcement officers were injured during the many exchanges of fire.
The testimony of SLED bomb technician and the operator of the second of three robots that day – Jim Lowder – contradicted the contention that Arthur Bixby had fired first. Lowder operated a robot that entered a back bedroom on the right side of the home, which contained the elder Bixby.
Arthur Bixby attempted to disable the robot – which weighed in excess of 400 pounds at the time – by “slapping” at it.
When unsuccessful, Arthur Bixby began loading a handgun. Law officers (speaking directly to Arthur through the robot’s speaker system) asked him to stop.
He then continued to load the weapon before firing several shots that finally disabled the robot. Moments later, a blast from a rifle at the front of the house starts the explosive, staccato blasting of the opening gunfire.
Statements ending Thursday’s proceedings were made by SLED agents Jeff Kinley and Gene Donohue, the men who took a written statement from Steven Bixby upon his arrest and subsequent detainment that evening.
The younger Bixby agreed to give the men a written statement, which he dictated word-for-word to Donohue.
After the statement was read, the prosecutor questioning Donohue – Eighth Circuit Deputy Solicitor John Anthony – attempted to admit the state’s evidence Exhibit 32.
It is what is referred to as a “death wish” letter written by Steven Bixby to his three daughters. It was recovered by law enforcement at his Abbeville Arms apartment.
The defense vehemently objected to its inclusion, and the jury was asked to leave while Macaulay ruled on the matter.
Following a long discussion and argument between Anthony and defense attorney Bill Nettles, Macaulay overruled the objection, then reversed course before finally overruling the objection once again and allowing it to be admitted.
The letter says that if Bixby’s daughters are reading the letter that they are to assume he is dead.
“If you feel you’re being watched, it’s just daddy being your guardian angel,” Bixby wrote.
Nettles contended the letter had “no veracity” as it features no date, and does not mention a problem dealing with property or of any violence against law officers.
However, Anthony responded that a portion of Bixby’s own signed statement given to Kinley and Donohue early on Dec. 9, 2003, which says in part “I wrote a letter to my daughters last night in the case of my untimely demise.”
Steven Bixby’s own statement, which had already been included as evidence in the state’s case, actually dated the letter, leading to Macaulay agreeing with Anthony.
The prosecution will present the jury with additional testimony and forensic evidence today.

Solicitor’s apprentices calm under fire

February 16, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER


ABBEVILLE — Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace must have been proud, though he won’t be able to admit it until later.
Taking a step back to allow his younger colleagues to garner experience in a death penalty trial by the administering the state’s case against accused double-murder suspect Steven Bixby on Thursday at the Abbeville County Courthouse, the apprentices sparkled.
Deputy Solicitor Andrew Hodges was up first.
He hardly disappointed.
Hodges – complete with a heavy goatee and dressed in a gray, pinstriped double-breasted suit – was brilliant in his direct and detailed questioning of SLED agents.
His style was calm and cool, with a gentle pacing that proved neither too fast to keep up with, nor too slow as to bore anyone to tears with the loads of technical information.
Despite the fact many of the questions he asked varying agents were the same, each new testimony seemed fresh. His voice was strong and firm, but not overbearing.
His questioning was on point, with many jurors nodding their heads in approval as if having had answers provided for them via the next question. That scenario played out over and over again Thursday with each successive witness.
That calm demeanor also was displayed by the SLED agents who sat in the witness chair. On cross-examination there was no panic, only unflappable consistency.
The only shaking seen on the court’s side of the bar Thursday came from the defendant, Steven Bixby, who became quite agitated and fidgety when a lengthy recording of a fierce gun battle was played loudly for the jury.
As the shots popped off, Bixby – dressed again in a long-sleeve dress shirt and khaki pants – couldn’t remain still.
There was no question the disturbing visual image of Sgt. Danny Wilson’s hands handcuffed behind his back was emotionally gut-wrenching for family members and friends. Others in the gallery were shaken as well – reporters included.
But such is often the case in trials covering the commission of violent crimes. Unfortunately, it’s an unavoidable evil in the pursuit of justice, but one that must take place.
The day ended with Deputy Solicitor John Anthony going head-to-head with experienced defense attorney Bill Nettles and holding his own.
At times, Anthony seemed a mite hesitant when presented with objections by the defense, but when the battle over the inclusion of a “death wish” letter of Steven Bixby’s began, Anthony fought until its inclusion was secured.
This isn’t to suggest the defense somehow performed poorly in any way shape or form – though the objection of the defense to a letter that has long since been part of the prosecution’s cache of evidence did raise eyebrows.
A new attorney (to the Abbeville court proceedings) with the Steven Bixby’s defense team – Mark MacDougall – made his first appearance Thursday, proving to be quite competent and collected in his limited work on cross-examination.

No more PB&Js for kids

Possibly contaminated peanut butter found at Ninety Six Primary

February 16, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Peanut butter from a possibly contaminated batch was found Thursday at Ninety Six Primary School.
Superintendent Dan Powell said the peanut butter was disposed after it was linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened almost 300 people across the country. No Ninety Six students have been reported sick because of the peanut butter, Powell said.
The peanut butter was pulled as soon as it was discovered.
It had been used with snacks for students, Powell said. Parents whose children had eaten the peanut butter recently were sent letters about the possible contamination, while parents of students who had eaten it just before it was thrown out were called.
School officials in Greenwood School District 50, 51 and Abbeville County said they don’t get their peanut butter from the company involved.
Saluda school officials were unavailable for comment by press time.
Jars of Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter produced by ConAgra Foods with a product code beginning with “2111” can be returned to the company for a refund.
Superintendent Sandra Calliham, of the McCormick County School District, said the system gets its peanut butter from ConAgra, but didn’t have any of the affected batch in its stores.
Even so, an e-mail was sent out to district employees about the possible contamination.
The salmonella outbreak, which federal health officials said Wednesday has sickened 288 people in 39 states since August, was linked to tainted peanut butter produced by ConAgra at a plant in Sylvester, Ga. How salmonella got into peanut butter is still under investigation, said Dr. Mike Lynch, an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC officials believe the salmonella outbreak to be the nation’s first associated with peanut butter. The most cases were reported in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri, but at least six cases have been reported in South Carolina.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, dehydration, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Morgan Loch, food services director for District 50, said the district’s safety department tracked the peanut butter used at its schools and found that they only use Jif peanut butter or a generic version of the same.
“Anytime those recalls happen, we check to make sure,” he said.
Schools in Ware Shoals also don’t carry the ConAgra peanut butter, said Dani Walden, food services director for Ware Shoals and Ninety Six schools.
Schools in Ware Shoals buy U.S. Department of Agriculture foods.
“So it should not be effecting us,” Walden said.
Superintendent Ivan Randolph said Abbeville schools didn’t have any tainted peanut butter.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

Virginia Ashley

On Feb. 13, 2007, Virginia Warren Gaines Ashley was called to her Savior.
Virginia was born in Richmond on Sept. 6, 1909, the only child of James and Alice Gaines. She attended the University of Virginia and graduated from Randolf-Macon Women’s College in 1928. In Feb. of 1947, Virginia wed Floyd Milton Ashley of Honea Path at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Charleston.
Virginia was a member of Greenwood’s Church of the Resurrection, where she was active in the Altar Guild and Episcopal Church Women. She also enjoyed fellowship in Greenwood’s music and garden clubs. In later years, Virginia was noted for her birthday and tea parties.
She is survived by her son, Joe Ashley and daughter-in-law, Kathy, of Greenville and her son, James Ashley of Greenwood, numerous nieces and nephews, and many valued friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at 2 p.m., at the Church of the Resurrection, Greenwood, with the Rev. Nicholas Beasley officiating.
Pallbearers will be Lee Williams, Jr. of Norway, Julian V. Brandt III of Charleston, Norman L. Capps of Greenwood, Parker E. Connor III of Greenville, Wayne E. Reid of Greenwood, Terry L. Powell and Jefferson Grant, both of Waterloo, Charles E. Layton Jr. of Saluda and James A. Preacher Jr. of Norway.
Honorary escort will be Mrs. Elizabeth Kemp of Greenwood, Mrs. Stella Thompson of Honea Path, Charlene Floyd, Tomekia Floyd, Latoya Martin, Doris Watts and Sara Anderson, all of Greenwood.
A reception will precede the service from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in Bishop’s Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Resurrection, PO Box 3283, Greenwood, SC 29648 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Janet Calvert

DUE WEST — Lulie Janet Calvert died Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007, in Carlisle at Due West Retirement Center surrounded by her loving caregivers and friends.
Born Feb. 13, 1917, in Abbeville, SC, she was the daughter of the late George Eakin Calvert and Lulie Callaway Calvert. She was predeceased by sisters, Martha Compton and Grace Parler. She is survived by three generations of beloved nieces and nephews who knew her as Aunt Jinky.
Jan grew up in Abbeville and received her undergraduate degree from Erskine College. She taught school and worked for Sears in Atlanta before returning to Abbeville to help with family businesses, where she pitched in during World War II driving trucks and doing whatever was needed. She retired from her position in the Abbeville Clerk of Court’s Office in 1991, after serving there forty years.
She loved walking to work and being on the square, and she was active in the restoration of the Abbeville Opera House.
She participated behind the scenes and on stage, winning a local “Emmy” for her performance in “Arsenic and Old Lace”.
She also volunteered her time in the Erskine College Library. Jan enjoyed working in her yard and tending her flowers.
Over the years, a bridge table was always up when four people could be found. Her niece, Pat, learned to play bridge at a very early age to make a foursome. She was an excellent cook - from divinity and sour cream pound cake to artichoke pickle. She lived with a quiet and unassuming joy - always ready to take on opportunities to spend time with family and friends, travel, perform, work and serve. She was a gentle and helpful caregiver for her mother for over twenty years in their home.
She was an active member of the Abbeville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church from birth until death. She valued her faith community and was sustained by this giving church for ninety years. A celebration of her life will be held at the Abbeville ARP Church on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at 2 p.m. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Randall T. Ruble DD, PhD.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Abbeville-Mount Carmel ARP Church, c/o Mrs. C.L. Chandler, 1111 North Main St., Abbeville, SC 29620 or Erskine College Scholarship Fund, PO Box 608, Due West, SC 29639.
Online condolences may be sent to the Calvert family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com. The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

T.R. Cartledge Jr.

ABBEVILLE — T.R. Cartledge, Jr., 87, of Abbeville, husband of Mary Scott Cartledge, died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007 at the HospiceCare of the Piedmont Hospice House. He was born in Parksville, SC, to the late Thomas R. and Nettie Bell Cartledge, Sr. Mr. Cartledge served his country in WWII with the United States Navy. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, and had retired from the Abbeville Milliken Plant after 40 years.
Surviving Mr. Cartledge is his wife of 60 years of the home; two sons, Tom Cartledge and his wife, Gwen of Mountville, SC, and David Scott Cartledge and his wife, Marcia of Abbeville; a sister, Tensie Ridlehoover of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Angie Cook, Dave Cartledge, Catherine Ann Cartledge, Ashley Hudgins, and Laurie Chandler; four great-grandchildren, Jacob Cook, Joshua Cook, Jonah Cook and Nick Hudgins.
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. T.R. Cartledge, Jr. may be sent to the HospiceCare of Piedmont, 408 W.
Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
The family will be at the residence.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cartledge family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Cartledge family.

Martha Robinson Fernandes

Martha Robinson Fernandes, 66, of 230 E. Cambridge Apts., No. 311, passed away Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007 at her home. Born in Greenwood, she was the daughter of the late Joe Syrkett, Sr. and Ruth Mosley Syrkett. She worked in the nursing profession.
She is survived by a daughter, Helena Hentz of San Antonio, TX; three grandchildren, Fitzgerald Hentz, II and Caleb Hentz, both of San Antonio, TX, and Manuel Fernandes, III of Greenwood. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home Chapel, with Bishop Emmanuel Spearman officiating.
Burial will be in Evening Star Cemetery. Flower bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family. The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Fernandes family.

Ruth Hutto

ABBEVILLE — Ruth Hutto, 81, formerly of West Columbia, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007. Funeral services will be held at 7 tonight at Southside Baptist Church in Abbeville, conducted by Rev. Earl Hartley, with visitation prior to the service, from 6-7 p.m. at the church. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007 at Southland Memorial Gardens in West Columbia.
Mrs. Hutto was born in Tabor City, NC, daughter of the late Arthur W. and Mary Browder Bradham. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church of Cayce. She was married to the late Joseph L. Hutto.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Hartley and husband, Rev. Earl of Abbeville; sister-in-law, Shirley Bradham; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brother, Ellison C. Bradham and sister, Johnnie Bradham Cockfield.
Milton Shealy Funeral Home of Batesburg-Leesville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Eugene Sanders

PITTSBURGH — Eugene Sanders, widower of Sally B. Sanders, died Monday, Feb. 12, 2007 at Mercy Hospital, Pittsburgh.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Frances Lee in Anderson, SC, and of a sister, Marie Shells, Ware Shoals, SC.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood, SC.

Humphreys shows greatness at endurance races

February 16, 2007

By NICOLAS LEGROS
Special to The Index-Journal

While only 1 percent of the Earth’s overall population is able to complete a marathon, one man in Greenwood can run the 26.2-mile race in a time of 2 hours and 46 minutes — that’s 6:20 minute/mile averaging 9.5 mph. Trent Humphreys not only is the top long distance runner in Greenwood, he is one of South Carolina’s best.
Humphreys established his status as a great distance runner Dec. 9, 2006, at the Kiawah Island marathon run. Although he was off season, Humphreys managed to cross the finish line as the first South Carolinian, and overall fifth, in only 2:46:09.
“I was coming out of the triathlon season and simply had planned to run with my dad, who is sixty-three, so I didn’t really prepare for the race,” Humphreys said. “But only a few minutes before the gun, I decided to run at my best. I guess my competitive side came out once again.
“I felt great from the beginning of the race; I was running a 6 minute, 10 second-mile for the first half of the marathon. However, it was extremely cold that day. It was in the twenties, water at the water stations was frozen and I was by myself for the whole second half (of the race), which obviously made it harder.”
Even in these rough conditions, Humphreys managed to perform.
If the Kiawah marathon earned him wide recognition across the state, Humphreys was already well known throughout Greenwood and especially within the runners’ community.
Humphreys, the general manager of the Greenwood Athletic Club, started out his career as a runner back in the mid-90s during his college years with Erskine. There, the 30-year-old made all-conference every season, winning it his senior year. However, Humphreys says that, “even then, I didn’t take it seriously.”
After college, he ran sporadically for a few years, gathering a few trophies along the way, but it was two years ago that he started to train with consistency and, has since, become a rising triathlete.
The Iron Man triathlon, now an Olympic discipline, is comprised of a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bicycle ride and a full marathon. It represents the ultimate effort in endurance.
He is ranked in the South’s top 10, and had some strong results at Hickory Knob’s Olympic distance triathlon and at the half Iron Man race in Greenwood last year.
If he improves his skills as a swimmer — he humorously describes himself as a “sinker” — to the same level as his running and biking skills, he could very likely reach the top level as a triathlete.
Already considered as a professional runner, Humphreys says that his ultimate goal is “to compete at a professional level at iron man distance.”
“But I have a family (2-and-3-year-old sons) and a full-time job, so it makes it harder,” Humphreys said. “That is why I wake up at 4:45 a.m. every day to bike for an hour. My day has to start early so I can spend time with my family when I get home.”
Through his impressive performances, Humphreys seeks to encourage people to do the same, in addition to representing his sponsors.
“Thankfully, local sponsors are supportive of local athletes,and the promotion of health awareness to the people in the community.”
Humphreys has given himself another five years to reach his full potential.
“I have a natural drive to succeed at whatever I do. So anything I do, I want to finish at the best of my ability,” Humphreys said.
He thinks he will one day be able to run a marathon in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
For the upcoming season, Humphreys plans on running Saturday in the Myrtle Beach marathon with his dad, even though he jokes, “I can’t predict that I won’t take off on my own again.”
Humphreys’ goal for the Boston Marathon in April is a time of 2 hours and 39 minutes. He will also participate in the South Carolina Series, which is a series of 11 road races across the state from March to October.

Better schools may take a variety of ‘remedies’

February 16, 2007

New State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex has, as they say, hit the ground running. He has taken several innovative approaches to improving the state’s public schools, one being letting parents decide which public school their children attend. But, then, there’s a move supported by Gov. Mark Sanford for the state to provide vouchers so parents could have a choice of private schools, parochial schools or home schooling.
There are strong feelings on both sides, so public, open-minded debate is warranted ..... if we really care about educating our children.
Rex also has addressed the possibility of doing away with the end-of-course tests (PACT ... Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests) that elementary and middle school students must take. That is one thing parents and educators complain about, he said. He would prefer a different testing method.

WHILE DISCUSSING THAT SUBJECT, Rex also noted something else that needs attention. That’s recruiting quality teachers.
“These people are our future makers. We have a serious teacher shortage ..... And there’s nothing in the pipeline,” he said.
That is indeed an area where improvement is needed. For one thing, there needs to be a better way to replace less than “quality” teachers presently on the job. There are persons convinced that some teachers are not qualified and there hardly seems any easy way to replace them.
They are in the minority, to be sure, but the few poor or unqualified teachers hurt the many ..... the majority. Most teachers are qualified, highly professional, and caring. It’s a shame that the good work they do can be overshadowed at times by those who don’t live up to expected standards.

WHATEVER THE REASON, IT’S a problem that South Carolinians cannot afford to ignore. It needs a solution that’s fair to all concerned, especially our children.
The second possibility to enhance the teacher ranks is to consider hiring as teachers persons who are not teachers but have college degrees and are proficient in subjects where they are needed ..... math and science, for instance.
There are sure to be some who oppose such ideas, and even some who oppose any ideas. Still, the needs are there and every taxpayer in the state knows it. Rex is off on the right foot. He ought to get the support he needs from the people and the Legislature.