S*0794 Resolution, By Moore, Setzler and Ryberg
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND DR. LINDA B. ELDRIDGE FOR HER TWELVE YEARS OF
 OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE AS AIKEN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION
 UPON HER RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER
 FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

   05/29/07  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-9

TO COMMEND DR. LINDA B. ELDRIDGE FOR HER TWELVE YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND DEDICATED SERVICE AS AIKEN COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION UPON HER RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, Dr. Linda B. Eldridge for twelve years has held the office of Aiken County Superintendent of Education with dignity and distinction; and

Whereas, her honesty, intelligence, and commitment to excellence in education have drawn admiration from those with whom she has worked, as well as from the people of South Carolina; and

Whereas, in preparation for her career in public education, Dr. Eldridge earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, a master's degree in special education, and a doctorate in educational administration, all from the University of Florida; and

Whereas, beginning her career as a middle school social studies teacher, she moved into administration through various positions in Florida, including Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, School Board of Alachua County, prior to assuming her duties as Aiken County Superintendent of Education; and

Whereas, Dr. Eldridge, during her tenure as Aiken County Superintendent of Education, has guided her district to improvement in the percentage of students who graduate from high school and a twenty-four-point increase over the past ten years in the average SAT score. Her district was named a 2005-2006 Super School System for Quality Schools by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement and a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education, and recently Newsweek magazine cited Aiken High School and South Aiken High School in its 2006 America's Best High Schools list; and

Whereas, among other honors in recognition of her achievements, Dr. Eldridge has been named Woman of Excellence in Education by the Girl Scout Council of the Central Savannah River Area and Outstanding Superintendent of South Carolina (Large District), and she has been included in Who's Who in American Education; and

Whereas, not one to neglect her civic duty, Dr. Eldridge serves her community in numerous ways, including as a board member of United Way of Aiken County and Aiken Chamber of Commerce and an advisory board member for the Salvation Army. She also serves through membership in the Aiken Rotary Club and St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church in Aiken; and

Whereas, Dr. Eldridge, taking her responsibilities with the seriousness they deserve, has labored diligently as Aiken County Superintendent of Education and has well repaid the trust placed in her by the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, commend Dr. Linda B. Eldridge for her twelve years of outstanding and dedicated service as Aiken County Superintendent of Education upon her retirement, and wish her much success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Linda B. Eldridge.