S.C. educators must harness own political power, Rex says

MYRTLE BEACH — One year ago, Jim Rex spoke to more than 1,500 educators at the School Leadership Institute conference as a candidate in a closely fought race for state superintendent of education.

Rex thinks that speech — and the subsequent support he received from teachers, principals and administrators — shifted momentum and helped propel him to a razor-thin victory in November.

The new superintendent, a Democrat, returned to the same audience Wednesday with a different message.

In his first State of the Schools speech, Rex urged educators to become the state's most politically active professional group. The goal of the nonpartisan effort is to ensure that pro-public education candidates for state office, no matter their political party, receive strong and consistent support, he said.

"We've historically been passive, apathetic and timid," Rex said. "They take us for granted. We are the advocates for children in South Carolina. ... We need to take the responsibility seriously."

After Rex's speech, two longtime district superintendents took the stage and announced the formation of a political action committee aimed at raising funds to re-elect lawmakers who support public education. The Leaders in Education Administration Political Action Committee, or LEAP, raised more than $100,000 from donations collected Wednesday morning and from previous contributions by district superintendents.

Groups that favor allowing parents to use public money to send their children to private schools have attracted attention in recent years, and out-of-state money from voucher proponents across the nation has flowed into South Carolina.

Such interest groups have targeted lawmakers from both political parties who have voted against private school choice plans. Some groups, such as South Carolinians for Responsible Government, specifically funnel money to candidates who pledge to vote for tax tuition credits and campaign on platforms that include private school choice.

The new political action committee is an attempt to level the playing field for candidates who continue to vote for issues important to educators, said John Hudgens, the former superintendent of Richland 2, and Walter Tobin, the interim superintendent of Spartanburg 7.

The group plans to develop a report card rating lawmakers on their public education voting record, and the officials with the highest grades will receive monetary support during their re-election campaigns, Hudgens said.

"We have to protect those people targeted by out-of-state funds," Hudgens said. "The day has come where educators have no choice but to get involved politically."

In addition to calling on educators to take a greater political role, Rex spoke about his accomplishments during his first five months in office.

Rex touched on his proposal to offer more choices within public schools and especially focused on options such as Montessori and single-gender classes.

He received a hearty round of applause when he mentioned his proposed reforms to the state's testing system, which includes getting rid of the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests.

As for the future, Rex said he'll push lawmakers this year to adopt a new education funding system based on "adequacy and equity" for all schools and students.

"This is the year to make these changes happen," he said. "The stage is set, but we need to create a sense of urgency. Reform delayed is reform denied."

Reach Mindy B. Hagen at mhagen@postandcourier.com or 937-5433.