What is the role of the Superintendent of Education?

The South Carolina Superintendent of Education is the executive administrator for South Carolina Public Schools. This role includes early childhood, elementary, secondary education, public charter schools and career & technology education, but does not include private schools or colleges and universities. 

Among other duties, the State Superintendent supervises and manages all public funds provided by the state and federal governments, organizes department staff, keeps the public informed as the problems and needs of the public schools by maintaining contact with school administrators and teachers, holding public meetings, and providing information to state media organizations, and assume any other responsibilities and duties prescribed by law or signed by the state Board of Education.

Why is a Superintendent of Education with experience important for South Carolina?

South Carolina’s 19th education leader overseeing over 1,200 schools, 55,000 teachers, and nearly 800,000 students while managing the largest budget of any state agency. Knowledge, experience, and relationships with education stakeholders is key to an effective and efficient leadership. Understanding the needs of parents, teachers, principals, the business community, community leaders, pastors, legislators, state school board, local district leadership, and the interaction with federal government agencies are all important aspects of the job the next superintendent must be prepared to face.