Longtime educator Hart gets a warm thank you

MARION — Marion County thanked former school superintendent Frank M. Hart Sr. for being a champion of the education for more than six decades.

During Tuesday night’s Marion County Board of Education meeting, dozens of people dropped by the Marion County Technical Education Center to celebrate Hart’s retirement as consultant for the county board, ending his more than 60 years in education.

Representatives from Marion School Districts 1, 2 and 7, along with Marion County Council, Marion City Council and state Sen. Kent Williams presented resolutions of appreciation for his many activities in the community.

“He’s been a tremendous influence on the educational system in the county and it’s always been a priority of his,” Marion School District 1 Superintendent Dr. Michael Lupo said.

Marion School District 7 Superintendent Everette Dean said he’s worked with Hart for the past 15 years and his focus has always involved all students.

“He’s a man of great integrity, honesty and always gives good counsel,” Dean said, adding that Hart would go so far as to personally fund a project to assist the school district. “He’s a real champion for our students.”

Hart, a 1944 graduate and valedictorian from Kelly-Pinckney High School in Union County, joined the U.S. Navy that same year, serving until 1946. He eventually retired as a commander with the U.S. Naval Reserve.

He went on to earn a bachelor’s of science from Clemson University in 1949 and later received his master’s degree from the school along with postgraduate honors from the University of South Carolina.

“He has a lot of outstanding qualities, especially his leadership skills,” Marion County Alternative School Principal Ora Hughes said.

State Rep. Jim Battle said Hart has always been helpful and a teacher.

Williams, a former member of the Marion County Board of Education, said he hasn’t met anyone as passionate about public education as Hart is.

“He’s been building a future for our children for many years,” Williams said, adding that Hart is well-known and respected.

Hart has served as consultant for the Marion County Board of Education from 1988 to 2009. In June, county board members hired former Florence School District 2 Superintendent Steve Quick as the new consultant.

“It’s been a great experience and a pleasure,” Hart, joined by his wife Nell, said of his service.

Hart said the improvements and accomplishments made in the county’s educational system are are result of everyone in the system working together. The construction of Creek Bridge High School in the southern portion of the County and a new location for Marion High School were two significant accomplishments, he said.

Marion County Board member Cynthia Legette said Hart always remained loyal to the board.

“We appreciate your leadership and your contributions,” Marion School District 2 Superintendent Nathaniel Miller told Hart.

According to the County Board of Education’s resolution, Hart was involved not only in public education as a teacher, principal and superintendent, but also as a Marion City Council member.

He was appointed to serve as superintendent for Marion School District 1 in 1970 and served until 1988. During that year, Hart also served as interim superintendent of the Will Lou Gray Opportunity School in Columbia after his retirement. He then followed with a brief stint as interim superintendent at what was once Marion School District 3.

“He was a leader in the county since I was growing up and he has been an advocate for public education making a difference in the lives of people for many years,” Marion County Board of Education Chairman Donnie Hill said.

Serving various roles was nothing new for Hart, as he served as President of the Athletic 2A Conference of the High School League, as Treasurer of the S.C. Congress of Parents and Teachers, on the evaluation committee for the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, on the Board of Directors for the Pee Dee Educational Center of 19 school districts, on the South Carolina Advisory Council in Vocational and Technical Education and State Department of Education Advisory Council on Education of the Handicapped.

His many recognitions include resolutions from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, S.C. State Senate and being named Superintendent of the Year in 1983 and 1988 by the South Carolina School Board Association and Association of Schools and Colleges.

Hart’s teaching and administration experience also included work in Landrum, Woodruff, Charleston and Pickens County.

“His leadership in Marion County will be greatly missed,” Marion County board members said in the resolution.

Hart has five children and seven grandchildren and is a member of First United Methodist Church of Marion, serving in just as many roles there as he had in the community.

“We’re very proud of him. He’s worked real hard through the years,” Frank Hart Jr., a 23-year veteran of the Myrtle Beach Police Department, said of his father. He said he was able to keep the surprise celebration a secret from his father, making the trip with his wife Dianne, who has been an educator for the past 20 years.

Marion School District 2 Superintendent Nathanial Miller, left, former Marion School District One Superintendent Cheryl Allread, Marion County Council member Alan Floyd, Marion School District 1 board member Alice Dudley, Marion School District 1 Superintendent Michael Lupo, Marion School District 7 and County board member Cynthia Legette congratulate Frank M. Hart Sr. along with his wife Nell for 60 years of service to public education in the County.