Three new school board members will take their seats Dec. 1.

Marilynn Bennett, Bobbie Little and George Truman were sworn in Nov. 18 at the central office.

Truman talked to The Anson Record about what obstacles he believes the school system is facing and how Anson can cope with them. The other two members could not be reached for comment in time for print.

While it is not unusual for members of the Board of Education to have experience in schools, Truman has a hefty resume. He has 36 years of experience in the education system in Anson County.

He was a math and science teacher, a junior high assistant principal for three years, an elementary school principal for 18 years and the superintendent from 2000-2007.

"The primary focus [of the school board] is to offer as many high quality educational opportunities as we possibly can," Truman said. "We have to do the best we can with the resources available to us."

He believes that the Early College and New Tech schools are "shining examples" of what Anson should be doing.

"I've really heard some good things about some of the reading initiatives that have been started the last couple of years."

He said the school system is not always meeting state standards and will have to find ways to address that. However, he believes tests do not measure the full value of an education.

"Students also need character education," he said. "How to work with people. Are they successful at new tasks, new initiatives? Can they do things that are not scripted?"

However, the economic troubles nationwide loom over everything.

"It's going to be a very difficult year with the projected state cuts and the lack of resiliency at the local level to offset those state cuts," he said.

He hopes that the state will allow some flexibility with the state standards. For example, reduced revenues could make proper class sizes a challenge.

"The deficits are going to be difficult for all school systems to deal with," Truman said.