South Carolina Superintendent of Education

South Carolina Superintendent of Education
General information
Office Type:	Partisan
Office website:	Official Link
2012-2013 FY Budget:	$3,763,464,042
Term limits:	None
Structure
Length of term:	4 years
Authority:	South Carolina Constitution, Article VI, Section 7
Selection Method:	Elected
Current Officeholder
Name:	Mick Zais
Officeholder Party:	Republican
Assumed office:	January 12, 2011
Compensation:	$92,007
Elections
Next election:	November 4, 2014
Last election:	November 2, 2010
Other South Carolina Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Comptroller • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Adjutant General • Inspector General • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

The South Carolina Superintendent of Education is a state executive position in the South Carolina state government.

In February 2013, the South Carolina State Legislature began considering a bill that would make the position of state superintendent an appointed post. Currently, the position is one of 14 state superintendents elected by the citizenry. Current incumbent Mick Zais said he supports the change.

Current officeholder

The current officeholder is Mick Zais. He was first elected in 2010 and assumed office on January 12, 2011.

Authority

The South Carolina Superintendent of Education's authority is established in Article VI, Section 7 of the state constitution.

Article VI, Section 7:

There shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State a Secretary of State, an Attorney General, a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Education, Comptroller General, Commissioner of Agriculture, and an Adjutant General who shall hold their respective offices for a term of four years, coterminous with that of the Governor. The duties and compensation of such offices shall be prescribed by law and their compensation shall be neither increased nor diminished during the period for which they shall have been elected.

Qualifications

Article VI, Section 7 of the South Carolina Constitution establishes the qualifications of the office:

No person may be popularly elected to and serve in any office in this State or its political subdivisions unless he possesses the qualifications of an elector, is not disqualified by age as prescribed in this Constitution, and has not been convicted of a felony under state or federal law or convicted of tampering with a voting machine, fraudulent registration or voting, bribery at elections, procuring or offering to procure votes by bribery, voting more than once at elections, impersonating a voter, or swearing falsely at elections/taking oath in another's name, or has not pled guilty or nolo contendere to these offenses. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, this prohibition does not apply to a person who has been pardoned under state or federal law or to a person who files for public office fifteen years or more after the completion date of service of the sentence, including probation and parole time, nor shall any person, serving in office prior to the ratification of this provision, be required to vacate the office to which he is elected. No person may be elected or appointed to office in this State for life or during good behavior, but the terms of all officers must be for some specified period except officers in the militia.

• possess the qualities of an elector
• not disqualified by age as prescribed in this Constitution
• has not been convicted of a felony under state or federal law or convicted of tampering with a voting machine, fraudulent registration or voting, bribery at elections, procuring or offering to procure votes by bribery, voting more than once at elections, impersonating a voter, or swearing falsely at elections/taking oath in another's name, or has not pled guilty or nolo contendere to these offenses

Elections

Article VI, Section 7 of the state constitution stipulates the superintendent of education will be elected every four years, to a term of four year term. The superintendent of education, like South Carolina's other executive officials, is elected in mid-term elections: 2010, 2014, and 2018.

Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy the governor fills the position with the advice and consent of the Senate. The appointee must qualify within 15 days of the appointment or the office is considered vacant. Of a vacancy occurs while the Senate is in recess, the governor fills the appointment until the Senate can act on it.

Duties

State law prescribes seven general duties of the superintendent:

• 1. Serve as secretary and administrative officer to the State Board of Education.

• 2. Have general supervision over and management of all public school funds provided by the State and Federal Governments.

• 3. Organize, staff and administer a State Department of Education which shall include such division and departments as are necessary to render the maximum service to public education in the State.

• 4. Keep the public informed as to the problems and needs of the public schools by constant contact with all school administrators and teachers, by his personal appearances at public gatherings and by information furnished to the various news media of the State.

• 5. Have printed and distributed such bulletins, manuals, and circulars as he may deem necessary for the professional improvement of teachers and for the cultivation of public sentiment for public education, and have printed all forms necessary and proper for the administration of the State Department of Education.

• 6. Administer, through the State Department of Education, all policies and procedures adopted by the State Board of Education.

• 7. Assume such other responsibilities and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by law or as may be assigned by the State Board of Education.

Divisions

• The Division of Accountability provides leadership and support to improve learning outcomes while ensuring that federal and state accountability requirements are met through effective, comprehensive compliance monitoring.
• The Division of Operations and Support provides technical assistance, monitoring, and support to the state's school districts that are implementing support programs like health and nutrition, transportation, facilities, and medicaid claiming activities.
• The Division of School Effectiveness works to improve student achievement and school performance.

State budget

The budget for the Department of Education in Fiscal Year 2012-2013 was $3,763,464,042.

Compensation

In 2010, the South Carolina Superintendent of Education was paid an estimated $92,007 according to the Council of State Governments.

Controversies

Refusal to report to BOE

A showdown between Superintendent Mick Zais and the state Board of Education began in early December 2011. Upset at Zais for refusing to seek federal grant money earlier in the year, the Board passed a rule that the Superintendent was to report monthly on federal grants available to the state. Zais responded by saying that he doesn't answer to the Board and would not comply with the rule. The board held a meeting on December 8 to resolve the issue, but Zais did not show. According to his spokesman, Zais was on a "long scheduled" vacation. The board said that if the matter could not be dealt with by December 23, they would take Zais to court.

Contact information

South Carolina State Superintendent of Education
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 734-8492
E-mail: SCSuptED@ed.sc.gov

See also

• Superintendent of Schools
• Mick Zais

External links

Suggest a link

• South Carolina State Department of Education
• Superintendent's page
• South Carolina Department of Education on Twitter