COVID-19 Conversations: Superintendent Russell Booker on the Challenges that Lie Ahead for Reopening Schools 

When states began enacting stay-at-home orders during the early days of the pandemic, schools were among the first organizations to pivot. Teachers and administrators across the country had to suddenly account for how they were going to provide remote instruction to thousands of students in a matter of days. The task was further complicated by the fact that many students lack the internet access that is required to do homework and rely on school meals to meet their nutritional needs.

After serving as the superintendent for Spartanburg County School District Seven for the last decade, Russell Booker has dedicated his time these last few months to meeting the changing needs of students and coordinating a district-wide response to COVID-19 before retiring from his post on June 30. Read More

Watch other episodes of COVID-19 Conversations here

Frontline Fellows: Q&A with SCETV President and CEO Anthony Padgett

Committed to progress in South Carolina, fellows of The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) seek to develop real solutions for real social issues. As the COVID-19 outbreak has drastically changed the way we live, these state leaders are quickly adapting the ways they support the communities they serve. We’re shining the spotlight on their exemplary leadership during this unprecedented time in our new Frontline Fellows series.

In this interview, we speak with SCETV President and CEO Anthony Padgett. In the early days of the pandemic, the Riley Fellow (Midlands, Spring 2019) and his staff at the public broadcasting network worked quickly to air curriculum-based programs that supplement at-home learning. Since that time, COVID-19 has continued to crystallize the need to make content accessible for students who lack internet access, and SCETV is leading the charge with the pilot of its datacasting technology. Read More

See all Frontline Fellows interviews