Senate Education Committee forwards five board nominees to full Senate

The Senate Education Committee on Oct. 12 voted to forward five gubernatorial appointees to the full Senate, giving each a favorable report after brief questioning and completion of required forms.

The nominees were Craig Plank for the South Carolina Charter School District Public Charter School District, Dr. Brian Cuddy and Charles Schultz for the Commission on Higher Education, Russell Parks for the Arts Commission, and Heidi Carey for the Arts Commission. Each nominee was sworn in, answered committee screening questions about conflicts and background checks, and had their personal data questionnaire and statement of economic interest reviewed.

Committee members asked routine questions about residency, professional background and potential conflicts. Plank said he is a long-time Richland County resident and owner of a State Farm agency; Cuddy described his background as a neurosurgeon and former academic physician; Schultz noted long experience in higher education governance and health care boards; Parks discussed his background in health-care architecture and arts ministry; and Carey described an extensive career as a musician and practicing attorney who performs regularly with the South Carolina Philharmonic.

Each nominee received a motion for a favorable report and an affirmative voice vote. Motions and seconds were recorded in committee minutes as follows: Craig Plank (favorable report — approved), Brian Cuddy (favorable report — approved; motion by Senator from Horry, second by Senator from Greenville), Charles Schultz (favorable report — approved; motion by Senator from Greenville, second by Senator from Berkeley), Russell Parks (favorable report — approved; motion by Senator from Pickens, second by Senator from Greenville), and Heidi Carey (favorable report — approved).

Votes at a glance: - Craig Plank — Favorable report to full Senate; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Brian Cuddy — Favorable report to full Senate; outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: Senator from Horry; Second: Senator from Greenville. - Charles Schultz — Favorable report to full Senate; outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: Senator from Greenville; Second: Senator from Berkeley. - Russell Parks — Favorable report to full Senate; outcome: approved (voice vote). Motion: Senator from Pickens; Second: Senator from Greenville. - Heidi Carey — Favorable report to full Senate; outcome: approved (voice vote).

All five nominees will be reported out of committee to the full Senate for confirmation or further consideration. The committee did not record any recusals or contested roll-call votes during these appointments.

The committee proceeding included routine disclosures: several nominees confirmed that neither they nor immediate family members contract with or receive funds from the state or federal governments, and each answered standard questions about prior arrests, bankruptcies and ethics citations.