South Carolina S 679: General Obligation Economic Development Bond Act

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 679 Text of Previous Version (May. 28, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 679

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A senate RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE DR. CRAIG WITHERSPOON, 
SUPERINTENDENT OF RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 
UPCOMING RETIREMENT, TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR HIS TEN YEARS OF EXEMPLARY 
SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, AND TO WISH HIM A FULFILLING AND 
WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT.

Whereas, Dr. Craig Witherspoon 
has dedicated thirty-seven years to the field of education, serving with 
passion and distinction as a teacher, principal, instructional leader, and 
superintendent across four states: Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, and South 
Carolina; and

Whereas, since assuming 
the role as superintendent of Richland County School District One on March 23, 
2015, Dr. Witherspoon has led the district with integrity and vision. His 
decade of dedicated service to the district will draw to a close on June 30, 
2025; and

Whereas, Richland One, 
the tenth-largest school district in South Carolina, serves more than 22,000 
students across fifty-two schools and centers, encompassing urban, suburban, 
and rural communities. Under Dr. Witherspoon's leadership, the district has 
flourished academically, operationally, and culturally; and

Whereas, among his many 
accomplishments, Dr. Witherspoon oversaw the launch of South Carolina's first 
high school Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program in 2018, one of only six 
in the nation, and established a groundbreaking firefighter training program in 
partnership with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. The district's 
graduation rate rose to unprecedented levels, exceeding the state average, and Richland 
One was awarded more than $30 million in federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program 
grants; and

Whereas, during his 
tenure, the district and individual schools and departments earned numerous 
accolades, including recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School; two National 
Schools to Watch; and multiple awards for health, academic innovation, and 
energy conservation. Richland One became home to the state's first two Visible 
Learning+ Certified Schools and received national recognition from Johns 
Hopkins University, the Special Olympics, and the Association for Middle Level 
Education; and

Whereas, Dr. 
Witherspoon's outstanding leadership has been recognized by his peers through 
numerous honors, including the 2024 Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina 
Alliance of Black School Educators, the 2022 Class 3A/2A/1A Superintendent of 
the Year by the S.C. Athletic Administrators Association, and Administrator of 
the Year awards from both state and local educational organizations; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina Senate are profoundly grateful for Dr. Witherspoon's 
unwavering dedication to educational excellence and equity, and they celebrate 
his enduring impact on generations of learners, educators, and communities. Now, 
therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and 
congratulate Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent of Richland County School 
District One, on the occasion of his upcoming retirement, express the deepest 
appreciation for his ten years of exemplary service to the students and 
families, and wish him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution 
be presented to Dr. Craig Witherspoon. 

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