Board Members - Richland School District 2

The Richland School District Two Board of Trustees is composed of seven at-large members elected by popular vote.

The Honorable Dr. Monica Elkins-Scott (2024) - School Board Chair

Dr. Monica Elkins-Scott was born and raised in Columbia where she graduated from Columbia High School in Richland District One and continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and family and consumer sciences, a master’s in divergent learning, and educational specialist and doctorate degrees in educational leadership.

Dr. Elkins-Scott retired in 2020. An educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Elkins-Scott has worked in a variety of capacities ranging from kindergarten, first- and fourth-grade teacher, high school teacher, where she taught Family and Consumer Sciences (Home Economics) to serving as an administrator at the elementary and high school levels. Most recently, she worked as principal of an elementary school in a neighboring district. She is a former adjunct professor in the Education Department at USC Upstate and Columbia College. Dr. Elkins-Scott has served on the board for the South Carolina Education Association and as vice-president for the Richland County Education Association.

Dr. Elkins-Scott has served on numerous boards and committees including the South Carolina School Board Association (SCSBA), South Carolina Association for School Administrators (SCASA), South Carolina Alliance of Black Educators (SCABSE), South Carolina School Board Caucus of Black School Board Members, and Carolina Women for Change and Empowerment Board. Dr. Elkins-Scott is is a member of South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) and National Education Association (NEA) - Retired. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eastern Star as well as a life member of the NAACP and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post # 4262. She is a Charter member of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) in Newberry and Women Connecting Women. Dr. Elkins-Scott is a court appointed Guardian Ad Litem and a volunteer with the Richland County Sheriff Department's Youth Arbitration Program. Past community work includes service on the Minority Recruitment Committee for Richland District Two, Richland Two Charter School board, South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) Board, Richland County Education Association (RCEA) Board and Richland County First Steps Board.

In 2015, Dr. Elkins-Scott was selected by the NEA (National Education Association) to be a part of Local Progress’s very first school board cohort which was launched at Local Progress’s annual convening in Los Angeles, Ca. in a first time School Board cohort composed of two School Board members per state. The NEA selected board members from each state who share their values and vision about education to join Local Progress – is a network of thousands of elected officials from around the country committed to a strong economy, equal justice, livable cities, and effective government.

Dr. Elkins-Scott is a native of Columbia and has resided in Richland Two for more than three decades. She is a member of First Northeast Baptist Church and is married. She has completed the highest Level 6 training in the SCSBA Boardmanship Institute.

She began serving on the board in 2012.

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The Honorable Niki Porter (2026) - School Board Vice Chair

Board Committees

Bio

Mrs. Niki Porter a former teacher, was first elected to the Richland Two Board of Trustees in November 2022. Mrs. Porter works as an eLearning Specialist and Instructional Designer. She is a member of the Columbia Branch of the NAACP and currently serves as the secretary for the SC Caucus of Black School Board Members. She is also a member of the Columbia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Mrs. Porter, a Coastal Carolina University graduate, has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership. She served 14 years in Richland Two as an teacher and technology learning coach. Mrs. Porter is a proud Spring Valley High School alumni. Her two children are students in Richland School District Two, which is part of her "Why" when it comes to advocating for public schools across our state.

In her spare time, you may find Mrs. Porter and her family participating in Richland County's recreational sports or completing a DIY project at home. She is a member of International Praise Church of God and is married.

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The Honorable Lashonda McFadden (2024) - School Board Secretary

Board Committees

Bio

Lashonda McFadden was previously selected to serve on the Legislative Committee and has completed Level 2 of the SCSBA Boardmanship Institute.

Originally from Tennessee, Mrs. McFadden has lived in the Richland Two area since 2009. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a Minor in Business Administration from East Tennessee State University. She is currently enrolled in the Political Science Department at the University of South Carolina for a Masters degree in Public Administration.

Her previous experiences stretch over 15 years of advocacy, employment, and public service. She has obtained professional experience with children and families of all socioeconomic levels through employment as a Social Counselor for the State of Tennessee Health Department; a Community Advocate for Palmetto Health Community Improvement Department; a Teen Talk Counselor for Richland School District One/ Two/ and Lexington County; a H.U.G.S (Help Us Grow Successfully) Counselor for the Department of Health and Environmental Control; and a Families First Prenatal Education Coordinator at the Washington County Health Department.

Mrs. McFadden served a term as a member of Richland County Advisory Council, CRC (the Greater Columbia Community Relation Council) where she served as Chair of the Annual Business Luncheon & Awards Ceremony and Secretary of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

Mrs. McFadden is an avid community volunteer. She was recently nominated and selected to serve a three year term (2021- 2024) as a Board Member for the SC-SIC (South Carolina School Improvement Council). She has served as Chair and Vice Chair on the SIC at Spring Valley High and Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary. She is a long time member of Women in Philanthropy & the Young Leaders Society, as a continuous sponsor of Homeless No More through the partnership with United Way and Prisma Health. Pre-Covid she was a constant volunteer at Transitions Homeless Shelter. She was also on the Nomination Committee for Spring Valley HOA Board.

She is active in her church, Bibleway, where she is a volunteer for the Young Adult and Children’s Ministry as well as on the Policy and Procedures Manual Writing Committee for the RUTHouse (a home for Teen mothers).Her dedication and service to her community in these organizations and programs have led to her being awarded the Brody Thomas Community Service Award.

She and her husband, Trimaine, are the proud parents of four children — Justice, Liberty, Noble, & Saint.

Mrs. McFadden began serving on the board in 2020.

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The Honorable Lindsay B. Agostini - (2024)

Board Committees

Bio

Lindsay B. Agostini was first elected to the Richland Two Board of Trustees in November 2016. She is a native of Michigan and a graduate of Indiana University.

She is a current member of the Spring Valley Education Foundation and former member of the Spring Valley High School School Improvement Council. Mrs. Agostini was a founding member of the TLC Education Foundation.

She is an avid athlete and has competed at the national level in both swimming and triathlon events. Mrs. Agostini and her husband are the proud parents of three Richland Two graduates.

She has served on the Board since 2016.

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The Honorable Angela Nash (2026)

Board Committees

Bio

Angela Nash is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Mrs. Nash has lived and invested in the Columbia community for almost 23 years and is married. Mrs. Nash serves on the board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an organization called E.A.R.N the Right that helps at-risk teens find purpose and meaning. She is a realtor.

Mrs. Nash began serving on the board in 2022.

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The Honorable Joe Trapp (2026)

Board Committees

Bio

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The Honorable Tamika Washington (2026)

Board Committees

Bio

A native of Blythewood, Tamika Washington was surrounded by men and women who inspired her and consistently supported her dreams. She credits her “drive” to her grandfather who was the founder of Columbia’s most profitable transportation service and oldest minority-owned businesses, Blue Ribbon Taxi Services. She is a graduate of Richland Northeast High School in Richland Two. After graduating from Benedict College with her Bachelor of Arts in English, she lived her professional life as an educator, trainer, and speaker.

With over 13 years of education experience, Mrs. Washington has been Teacher of the Year twice, serving as a teacher advocate in many capacities. Her roles in education include teaching middle English, developing curriculum and assessments, mentoring new teachers and serving as a District Coach for both Elementary and Secondary schools. Additionally, Mrs. Washington had the opportunity to work with online charter schools for the nation's largest online education provider, where she worked as a Teacher Ambassador, and Instructional Coach, assisting school teachers and leaders by focusing on academics, equitable practices, and teacher development. In this role, she assisted with projects during COVID to help educators from traditional classrooms provide support in the online environment. She has presented at numerous regional and national conferences including Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), SC Association of Black School Educators (SCABSE), and more.

In 2018, she and her husband founded Converspace, an innovative virtual office space for individuals to extend their business and expand their brand. They offer office space, meeting space, and virtual office services for entrepreneurs and business owners to start, grow, and scale their businesses. Serving over 550 clients monthly, Converspace has undoubtedly left its imprint on the growth of other businesses including local nonprofit organizations they partner with like PITCH803, The Hive Community Circle, Women Blooming In Season, and The Rose Leaf Foundation.

Mrs. Washington is now a published author of two books, The Busy Woman’s Guide to Faith and Girl, Let’s Pray. You can find her featured in publications from SwagHer Magazine to Glambitious Magazine. She was also a contributor for Millenium Magazine in Columbia, SC and featured as a business spotlight for the Richland County’s Office of Business’s Annual Summit. Mrs. Washington enjoys speaking, contributing articles, and consulting business owners. She is the wife of a school administrator and has two daughters. As a proud product of Richland 2, Mrs. Washington is inspired to lead with love and faith and is ever passionate about advocating for children, teachers and the entire Richland Two community.

She began serving on the board in 2022.