Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Excellence

The annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence was created in 2002 to recognize the significant contributions made to public education by the over 12,000 local School Improvement Council (SIC) members who volunteer in every public school in the state. The award is named in honor of former U.S. Education Secretary and South Carolina Governor Richard Riley and his late wife, Tunky, and recognizes the couple’s longstanding commitment to quality public education. Previous recipients of the Riley Award for SIC Excellence include:

2024- Harold C. Johnson Elementary SIC - York (York School District 1)

Read their case statement here.

2023- Hilton Head Island High SIC - Hilton Head (Beaufort County Schools)

Read their case statement here.

2022 – Greer Middle SIC - Greer (Greenville County Schools)

Read their case statement here.

2021 – Flowertown Elementary SIC - Summerville (Dorchester School District Two)

Read their case statement here.

2020 – Chapin Middle SIC - Chapin (School District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties)

2019 – Hilton Head Island Middle SIC - Hilton Head Island (Beaufort County School District)

2018 – Walhalla High SIC - Walhalla (School District of Oconee County)

2017 – South Pointe High SIC - Rock Hill (Rock Hill Schools/York School District Three)

2016 – Ebinport Elementary SIC - Rock Hill (Rock Hill Schools/York School District Three)

2015 – Blythewood High SIC - Blythewood (Richland School District Two)

2014 – Okatie Elementary SIC - Okatie (Beaufort County School District)

2013 – Richland Northeast High SIC - Columbia (Richland School District Two)

2012 – Baron DeKalb Elementary SIC - Camden (Kershaw County School District)

2011 – Burgess Elementary SIC - Myrtle Beach (Horry County Schools)

2010 – Stone Academy of Communication Arts SIC - Greenville (Greenville County Schools)

2009 – Morningside Middle SIC - North Charleston (Charleston County School District)

2008 – Bookman Road Elementary SIC - Elgin (Richland School District Two)

2007 – Chukker Creek Elementary SIC - Aiken (Aiken County Public School District)

2006 – Martha Dendy Sixth Grade Center/Bell Street Middle SIC - Clinton (Laurens District 56)

2005 – A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary SIC - Columbia (Richland School District One)

2004 – Manchester Elementary SIC - Pinewood (Sumter County School District)

2003 – Richland Northeast High SIC - Columbia (Richland School District Two)

The SIC Advocate of the Year Award is presented to one or more individuals who have advocated for School Improvement Councils in an exemplary manner within their spheres of influence.

2024- The Honorable Nikki G. Setzler

State Senator representing South Carolina District 26

2023- Dr. Jacqueline Inabinette

Assistant Superintendent of Administration, Clarendon County School District

2022 – King Laurence

Superintendent & Former SIC District Contact, Aiken County Public School District

2021 – Anderson School District Two

2020 – Dr. Luanne Kokolis

Assistant Superintendent & SIC District Contact, Rock Hill Schools

2019 – Dr. Diane M. Monrad

Director & Research Associate Professor, SC Education Policy Center, USC College of Education

2018 – Dr. Traci Young Cooper

SIC District Contact, Richland District One & Former Chair, SC Board of Education

2017 – Ms. Ellen M. Still

Former SC Senate Education Committee Research Director, SC Deputy Superintendent, & SC-SIC Board Chair

2016 – Ms. Dora Leonard and Dr. Lorilei Swanson

Former SIC Chair & SIC Secretary, Walhalla High SIC, School District of Oconee County

2015 – Ms. Melanie D. Barton

Executive Director, SC Education Oversight Committee

2014 – Dr. Percy A. Mack

Superintendent, Richland District One

2013 – Dr. Baron Holmes

Former Research Director, SC House Education & Public Works Committee

2012 – Mr. Fred S. Washington, Jr.

Past Chair, Beaufort County Board of Education

2011 – Ms. Carrie Toney

Custodian, Lower Lee Elementary, Lee County School District

2010 – Ms. Clara Heinsohn

Former SIC District Contact, Charleston County School District

2009 – Ms. Delores Gilliard and Mr. Carlos Primus

Principal & SIC Chair, A.J. Lewis Greenview Elementary, Richland District One

2008 – The Hon. Robert Q. Williams

SC House of Representatives

2007 – Ms. Donna Tinsley

Former SIC Member & Staff Member, SC House Education & Public Works Committee

2006 – Dr. Mike Fanning

Executive Director, Olde English Consortium

2005 – Dr. Al Leonard and Mr. Jeff Nicholson

Principal & SIC Chair, South Pointe High School, Rock Hill District 3

2004 – The Hon. Bill Cotty and The Hon. Joel Lourie

SC House of Representatives

2003 – Ms. Joan Grimmett

Former SIC District Contact, Horry County School

SIC Advocate of the Year Award