BCSD leaders mourn loss of former District 2 representative Frances Brewer

Longtime education advocate Frances Brewer, who once represented Daniel Island in District 2 on the Berkeley County School Board, has passed away. Berkeley County School District (BCSD) leaders and educators reported in a press release they are “deeply saddened” to learn of the loss of the former school board member.

A Goose Creek native, Brewer was first elected to the Board in 1990 and dedicated 16 years of service to the school district.

“Ms. Brewer was a legendary leader and will surely be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of working with her,” said current Board Chair Sally Wofford. “She was a visionary who helped to ensure that BCSD thrived in the ever-changing landscape of public education. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

BCSD Interim Superintendent Deon Jackson commented, “While I did not have the opportunity to work closely with Ms. Brewer during her time on the Board, her reputation as being a champion for education preceded her. I have come to know that she was well loved and respected by my mentors, colleagues and many families in Berkeley County. She has remained a stead-fast supporter of Berkeley County and public education, and today district leadership and many educators mourn the loss of a friend and leader.”

During her 16-year tenure, Brewer served the Board in various roles of leadership including as Chairwoman. She represented Daniel Island in District 2 from the time the first homes were built here in the late 1990s, until she lost her seat to former island resident Dan Kingsbury in 2006 (Doug Cooper served in the post from 2008 to 2014, followed by Mac McQuillin, who currently holds the position).

Brewer was one of the first to advocate for a new public school on Daniel Island in the early 2000s. She also was a strong supporter of educational initiatives for the disabled, successfully lobbying state legislators for a new oral exit exam for students with documented disabilities.

“I feel like I have been blessed,” Brewer, the oldest of eight children, told the Daniel Island News in 2006. “When you are given more, more is expected of you. Being on the school board is my way of giving back a little bit of what I was fortunate enough to have.”

Brewer also was actively involved in the South Carolina School Board Association, and served as the statewide organization’s President in 2001.

“When I was elected to serve as the current District 2 school board representative, I knew that I had very large shoes to fill,” said McQuillin, the Board’s vice chair. “Ms. Brewer was a friend, supporter and mentor who was dedicated to the families and students of Berkeley County. I was blessed to know her and have the opportunity to learn from her, and the Berkeley County School District is better because of her.”

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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