SC SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION: Eight candidates introduce themselves to voters at downtown forum

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — In November, South Carolina voters will elect a new state superintendent.

Just before then, the June 14th primaries will slim down the subject of candidates.

At the Columbia Metropolitan Conference Center, candidates for condition superintendent of education gave their explanations for why they are the finest decision for the place.

Democrat Gary Burgess calls himself the most competent.

“I have really operate a university district. I am now an elected faculty board member,” Burgess stated. “Secondly, I have traveled the state listening to people today and the hopes for their children.”

Republican Bryan Chapman claims he has been informed he is the most effective prospect due to the fact of his unique positions held.

“You’ve been a pastor. You aid in religion-based mostly and neighborhood involvement. You are carrying out matters no person else is doing,” Chapman claimed. “You have your hand in the college board and you are a instructor.”

 Many candidates tackled the teacher shortage in the point out.

“We bought to have much less paperwork for them. Get rid of some of this feeding on that we’re executing,” explained Republican prospect Kathy Maness. “We have to restore self-discipline in our lecture rooms so our teachers can train and our students can master.”

“That’s where by we make the most variance in our learners is obtaining a teacher in the classroom,” claimed Democratic prospect Lisa Ellis. “Not only lecturers, but guidance personnel, drivers and staff that meet up with students each individual working day is the place we make interactions. That’s in which we deliver possibilities for students to definitely be profitable.”

A person prospect from Chester who is functioning beneath the Inexperienced Celebration was also present at the discussion board.

“I would force that every single scholar starts off with simple competencies so they can have a difficult foundation,” explained Patricia Mickel.

Republican Lynda Leventis-Wells from Greenville spoke about having college students up to grade stage as nicely as completely ready for daily life following graduation.

“Build packages, curriculum and education that meets point out requirements,” stated Leventis-Wells. “Create the most effective graduates that are college or university and career completely ready.”

Democrat Jerry Govan believes there are lots of complications with training that have to have to be tackled.

“But let us commence with curriculum and requirements,” Govan mentioned. “I consider we will need to do a overview of our curriculum and expectations to see if they are meeting the wants of our learners.”

Like Govan, Republican Kizzi Gibson also grew up in Orangeburg County and has her very own suggestions for improving schooling in the condition. 

“I believe that that our concentrate need to be on studying, producing and creativeness in the classroom,” Gibson explained. “That really should be our primary focus.”

Two candidates, Ellen Weaver and Travis Bedson, were being not at the forum. 

All 8 candidates at the forum think they are the right decide on for the work but it will be up to the voters on June 14th to slim the discipline down during the primaries.