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by WILL FOLKS
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A former school teacher in Dorchester County, South Carolina is campaigning for a seat on the local school board this fall – going up against a veteran incumbent as the board continues its transition from at-large seats to single-member districts.
Meredith Westfall, a former Dorchester School District Two teacher, is running against incumbent Evan Guthrie – a local attorney – in the November 3, 2026 election. Her election is the only contested race on the ballot as two other board seats feature incumbents running unopposed.
Guthrie has served on the school board since 2016, winning two at-large elections. Dorchester County recently transitioned to single member districts – with Guthrie running opposed for the district four seat in 2024.
“I’m running to bring a real classroom perspective to the board — grounded in firsthand experience, a willingness to listen, and an understanding of how decisions made at the district level impact our classrooms and families every single day,” Westfall said in a Facebook post announcing her candidacy.
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Her campaign platform consists of supporting and retaining quality teachers, better managing district resources, facilitating partnerships with parents and families and stronger advocacy with local governments and state legislators.
“Our students deserve a strong voice at every level,” Westfall said.
Westfall has spent nearly a decade in Lowcountry classrooms – including teaching gigs in Colleton and Dorchester counties. She has also served on Dorchester Two’s recruitment and retention task force – helping craft policies aimed at keeping qualified teachers on staff.
“As a teacher, it feels like every year you’re entrusted with a new school of fish for nine months,” she said. “You nurture them, help them grow, and do everything you can to prepare them before releasing them back into the much larger pond. I loved caring forthe students in my little cove, but over nine years in the classroom, I saw challenges that no individual teacher can solve alone. I’m running for school board because I want to help make the whole pond a place where students can thrive, teachers can succeed, and families feel supported.”
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Westfall is married to CJ Westfall, a political operative and chairman of the Dorchester County Republican Party (DCGOP).
Dorchester 2 approved a $314.3 million budget for the current fiscal year in June – receiving extra state and county taxpayer money to bridge an estimated $4.1 million shortfall. Starting teacher salaries increased by $2,500 to $54,000 under the new spending plan.
During the 2025-2026 school year, Dorchester 2’s per pupil funding total stood at approximately $16,804 – below the statewide average of $19,871. The school nonetheless fares better than the statewide average on most academic ratings – although its results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) are less impressive.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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