FAIRFIELD COUNTY, SC (WIS) - The Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce says it is tough trying to bring new businesses to the area. The reason, they believe, is the school board and the school system.
Chamber member Mike Kelly says the county is an "untouched gem that needs to be developed."
However, the school board's reputation is getting in the way. Last week they fired superintendent of a year-and-a-half Patrice Robinson.
The district also got word the only high school will go from a 3A ranking when it comes to athletics to 2A. It's because of decreasing population. In 2008-2009 the enrollment was 975, last school year it was 856.
"I'm not here to criticize the school board, although I am here as a taxpayer in Fairfield County because economic development cannot move forward at any type of pace until we get the whole school situation stabilized and we're not there," said Kelly.
Kelly is the chairman of a new committee -- an action committee as he calls it. He says the Chamber of Commerce-based group will meet with the school board and offer any help they can give the district in hopes of making the town not a spectacle.
"My goal and the goal of Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is for Fairfield to become a leader in the state and not an embarrassment," said Kelly.
The 2A designation at Fairfield Central will go into effect next football season.
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