Democratic race for state superintendent of education suddenly crowded

In a crowded race for state superintendent of education, four Democrats are competing for their party’s nomination in June and the right to challenge one of the nine Republican candidates in November.

The Democratic candidates – bolstered by three last-minute filers, including a longtime state representative – overlap on some of their top priorities, including education equality and funding, as well as having similar opinions on Common Core and Republican Gov. Nikki Haley’s education plan.

Rep. Jerry Govan, D-Orangeburg, said disparities in education are a fundamental issue. The quality of a child’s education should not be determined by their zip code, he said. “Education is still the vehicle that will allow people to ascend to their full potential.”

Sheila Gallagher, a former teacher and Florence County Democratic Party chairwoman, also emphasized education inequality, saying technology is inequitable among schools.

“Some schools don’t have the right broadband (internet),” she said, noting South Carolina is made up of mostly rural areas.

Equality also a concern when it comes to evaluating teachers, said Montrio Belton of Fort Mill, who worked at the state Education Department under Republican Superintendent Mick Zais.

“We need an evaluation system that’s fair, that’s accountable, and we need one that’s transparent,” said Belton, who – until the last week of qualifying – was the only Democrat running for the post.

Belton suggests a teacher-evaluation model that focuses on student growth. That measurement would compare a student pre-test and a post-test, at the end of the year. If students’ results rise, it would indicate the effectiveness of the teacher, he said.

Tom Thompson said teacher input needs to be considered concerning a fair evaluation system. Thompson, who lives in Forest Acres, has held positions in higher education and worked for the state Education Department.

Teacher compensation also needs to be improved, Gallagher said, as part of an effort to ensure the teaching profession is respected. “They are the front line for our students to help them become the citizens they’re going to become.”

While the Republican candidates generally oppose Common Core, two of the four Democrats support the education standards, which outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The standards will be used in school districts statewide by next school year.

“Common Core is, basically, standards, and South Carolina has always had good standards,” Gallagher said.

Belton agreed. “When you look at Common Core, from an academic perspective, there is nothing wrong with those standards.”

Thompson said he was wary of Common Core’s “one-size-fits-all” approach. But the standards hinge on teaching children to think critically, which is necessary, he added.

Govan would not say directly if he supports or opposes Common Core. Since Common Core is in its implementation stage, he said the debate should center around ensuring those responsible for its enactment are successful.

On education funding:

The candidates generally support Gov. Nikki Haley’s education plan, unveiled earlier this year, to spend more on technology, reading and rural schools. But a couple criticized the governor’s delay in presenting a plan.

“I don’t think anybody who cares about education is going to be opposed to what the governor has indicated that she wants to do,” Belton said.

It is difficult to argue against ensuring every child can read by the third grade, Thompson said.

“It’s a decent start,” Thompson said, adding there needs to be more focus on early childhood education, including making 4-year-old kindergarten available to all.

However, both Democrats Gallagher and Govan criticized the time – three years into her four-year tem – that it took Republican Haley to come up with an education plan.

Govan said the governor’s ideas are nothing new. Reading coaches had been around before, for example, but were cut by the General Assembly.

Who doesn’t want to be superintendent of education?

The four Democratic candidates, including three last-minute filers; there are nine GOP candidates

Montrio Belton, 40

Spent eight years in the Army Reserves

Doctorate, in educational leadership, University of North Carolina-Charlotte

Sheila Gallagher, 61

Spent more than 30 years teaching in Florence County

Three master’s degrees in education-related areas

Jerry Govan, 56

Has spent 22 years representing Orangeburg County in the S.C. House

Pursuing education specialist’s degree, South Carolina State University

Thom Thompson, 64

Former dean, graduate studies, S.C. State University

Doctorate, educational leadership, University of Illinois

This story was originally published April 3, 2014 at 8:44 PM.