Joe Helms is seeking another term on the Fort Mill school board in the Nov. 3, 2026, nonpartisan election.
The South Carolina State Election Commission lists seven active candidates for Fort Mill School District trustees: Larry Barnett, Michele Branning, Keith Griffin, Helms, Brandon Langford, Melissa M. Maynard and Lipi Pratt.
Experience
On his campaign website, Helms says he joined the board in 2022 and has lived in Fort Mill since 2007. He describes a career in mortgage lending and involvement as a coach, youth leader and school volunteer.
On the issues
His second-term priorities include stronger academics, competitive teacher pay, protected planning time and attention to workload and school culture. He also emphasizes campus safety, scrutiny of district spending and clearer communication with the public.
Helms supports pathways beyond four-year college, including technical education, trades, athletics and the arts. He says district spending should prioritize needs before wants.
On his record page, he says he advocated for teachers’ unencumbered time and competitive coaching pay. He also describes voting against a budget and a strategic plan over spending and language concerns.
In his account of the Flint Hill vote, Helms says he opposed assigning students there because of unresolved concerns about the neighboring Silfab facility. Those are his stated concerns; he notes that the school board does not control commercial zoning, permitting or environmental regulation.
