As part of our continuing effort to bring local news that’s impactful to our readers, we’ve proactively reached out to the candidates running for Fort Mill School Board.
We will not manipulate their answers in any way, we’ll simply provide to you, our readers. This will allow you to make an informed choice.
This week, we’ll introduce Larry Barnett
Engineer, business owner, veteran and former planning commissioner focuses campaign on classroom discipline, financial accountability and action on Silfab
FORT MILL, S.C. Larry Barnett, a 40-year Fort Mill resident, engineer, former business owner, Vietnam veteran and longtime community volunteer, is running for the Fort Mill School District Board of Trustees.
Barnett and his wife, Madlen, built their home in Fort Mill in 1986 so their two sons could attend Fort Mill schools. Both sons attended the district from kindergarten through graduation, a choice Barnett describes as “one of the best decisions we ever made.”
“I am grateful for the education my sons received here,” Barnett said. “I am running because I want today’s students to have those same opportunities, while making sure the decisions we make do not price families and taxpayers out of living in Fort Mill.”
Barnett earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina. In 1989, he founded Cubex, Inc., an engineering and systems integration company. He later sold the company to its employees and retired in 2011.
His record of community service includes 7½ years on the York County Planning Commission. During that time, Barnett worked to help establish an impact fee on new residential construction, requiring new growth to contribute toward the school facilities needed to support it. Revenue from that policy has helped fund new Fort Mill school facilities and additions or expansions to existing schools.
“That experience taught me an important lesson,” Barnett said. “Growth should help pay for the demands it places on our schools. Existing families and businesses should not be expected to carry the entire burden.”
Barnett’s campaign is focused on three priorities:
Supporting teachers and restoring classroom discipline
Barnett believes teachers and administrators must have the backing necessary to maintain safe, orderly classrooms. Students cannot learn, and teachers cannot teach effectively, when repeated disruptions are allowed to take over the classroom.
“Our teachers have a difficult and important job,” Barnett said. “When they enforce reasonable rules and address disruptive behavior, they need to know the school board has their back.”
Demanding financial accountability
Barnett supports properly funding Fort Mill schools and offering competitive pay to attract and retain excellent teachers. He also believes every major expenditure should be carefully examined for its long-term effect on district debt, operating costs and taxpayers.
“Strong schools and financial accountability are not opposing goals,” Barnett said. “Before approving more spending or taking on more debt, the board should be able to explain what is needed, what it will cost, who will pay for it and how long taxpayers will carry that obligation.”
Barnett said the rising cost of living is already placing pressure on families, retirees and local businesses. School board members have a responsibility to ensure unnecessary spending and tax increases do not make that burden worse.
Pursuing every legal avenue available on Silfab
Barnett has committed to pursuing every lawful option available to the district to protect students, teachers, staff and school property from the proposed Silfab facility near Fort Mill schools.
“The school board cannot sit back and wait for someone else to address this,” Barnett said. “I will support using the district’s legal rights as an adjacent property owner and every other lawful avenue available to pursue moving Silfab away from our schools.”
Barnett said his engineering, business and planning experience taught him to examine the facts, anticipate long-term consequences and ask difficult questions before making major decisions.
“I am not running to tear down the Fort Mill schools,” Barnett said. “I am running to protect what has made them successful, support our teachers, involve parents, safeguard our students and look out for the taxpayers who fund them.”
The Fort Mill School Board election will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
About Larry Barnett
Larry Barnett was born in Seneca, South Carolina, and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina. He and his wife, Madlen, have been married for 48 years and have lived in Fort Mill since 1986. Their twin sons attended Fort Mill schools from kindergarten through graduation.
Barnett founded Cubex, Inc., an engineering and systems integration company, in 1989 and later sold the business to its employees. He is a Vietnam veteran and Eagle Scout whose community service includes 7½ years on the York County Planning Commission, service as president of the Fort Mill Tennis Association and Fort Mill Beekeepers Association, and service as chairman of the York County Republican Party from 2023 to 2025.
Follow Larry on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/1DeRHY3pwa/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Associate Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
