South Carolina Superintendent of Education
| South Carolina Superintendent of Education | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $214,000 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $8,226,389,570 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | South Carolina Constitution, Article VI, Section 7 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Ellen Weaver | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Other South Carolina Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Comptroller • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • 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. Former superintendent Mick Zais said he supported the change in 2013.[1] The South Carolina Senate referred a proposed constitutional amendment to the legislative judiciary committee on December 2014.[2] In March 2015, the bill failed to receive the necessary two-thirds majority vote necessary to advance.[3]
Current officeholder
The current South Carolina Superintendent of Education is Ellen Weaver (R). Weaver assumed office in 2023.
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.[4] |
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 pleaded guilty or nolo contendere [no contest] 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.[4] |
- possess the qualities of an elector
- not disqualified by age as prescribed in the 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 no contest 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 years. The superintendent of education, like South Carolina's other executive officials, is elected in mid-term elections: 2018, 2022 and 2026.[4]
2022
General election
General election for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Ellen Weaver defeated Lisa Ellis and Patricia Mickel in the general election for South Carolina Superintendent of Education on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ellen Weaver (R)  | 55.5 | 937,493 |
 | Lisa Ellis (D / Alliance Party) | 42.8 | 722,013 | |
| Patricia Mickel (G) | 1.6 | 27,468 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 1,744 | ||
| Total votes: 1,688,718 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary runoff election
Republican primary runoff for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Ellen Weaver defeated Kathy Maness in the Republican primary runoff for South Carolina Superintendent of Education on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ellen Weaver | 63.9 | 111,643 |
| Kathy Maness | 36.1 | 63,080 | ||
| Total votes: 174,723 | |||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Lisa Ellis defeated Gary Burgess and Jerry Govan Jr. in the Democratic primary for South Carolina Superintendent of Education on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Ellis | 50.1 | 87,529 |
 | Gary Burgess | 31.2 | 54,464 | |
 | Jerry Govan Jr. | 18.7 | 32,665 | |
| Total votes: 174,658 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for South Carolina Superintendent of Education on June 14, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kathy Maness | 30.6 | 103,608 | |
| ✔ | | Ellen Weaver | 23.3 | 79,077 |
| Travis Bedson | 13.9 | 47,241 | ||
| Bryan Chapman | 12.5 | 42,498 | ||
 | Kizzi Gibson | 11.1 | 37,743 | |
 | Lynda Leventis-Wells | 8.5 | 28,755 | |
| Total votes: 338,922 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Cindy Bohn Coats (R)
- Sheri Few (R)
Alliance Party convention
Alliance Party convention for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Lisa Ellis advanced from the Alliance Party convention for South Carolina Superintendent of Education on April 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Ellis (Alliance Party) |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Green convention
Green convention for South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Patricia Mickel advanced from the Green convention for South Carolina Superintendent of Education on May 7, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Patricia Mickel (G) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Past elections
Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy the governor fills the position with the advice and consent of the state 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.[5]
Duties
State law prescribes seven general duties of the superintendent:[5]
- Serve as secretary and administrative officer to the State Board of Education.
- Supervise and manage all public school funds provided by the State and Federal Governments.
- Organize, staff and administer the State Department of Education, including all divisions and departments necessary to provide the maximum service to public education in the State.
- Keep the public informed as to the problems and needs of the public schools by maintaining contact with all school administrators and teachers, by holding public meetings, and by providing information to state media organizations.
- Print and distribute bulletins, manuals, and circulars necessary for the professional improvement of teachers, the cultivation of public sentiment for public education, and all forms necessary for the administration of the State Department of Education.
- Administer, through the State Department of Education, all policies and procedures adopted by the State Board of Education.
- Assume any other responsibilities and duties prescribed by law or assigned by the State Board of Education.
State budget
- See also: South Carolina state budget and finances
The budget for the Department of Education in Fiscal Year 2025 was $8,226,389,570.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2024
In 2024, the officer's salary was $214,000, according to the South Carolina Department of Administration.[7]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $214,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018
In 2018, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017
In 2017, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016
In 2016, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015
In 2015, the superintendent received a salary of $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014
In 2014, the superintendent was paid an estimated $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013
In 2013, the superintendent was paid an estimated $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[17]
2010
In 2010, the superintendent was paid an estimated $92,007, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
Noteworthy events
Refusal to report to BOE
A dispute between former Superintendent Mick Zais and the South Carolina 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.[19] 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.[20]
Historical officeholders (1868-Present)
There have been 18 South Carolina Superintendents of Education since 1868.[21]
| List of Former Officeholders from 1868-Present | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Name | Tenure | Party | ||
| 1 | Justus K. Jillson | 1868-1876 | |||
| 2 | John R. Tolbert | 1876 | |||
| 3 | Hugh S. Thompson | 1876-1882 | |||
| 4 | Asbury Coward | 1882-1886 | |||
| 5 | James H. Rice | 1886-1890 | |||
| 6 | W. D. Mayfield | 1890-1898 | |||
| 7 | John J. McMahan | 1898- 1902 | |||
| 8 | Oscar B. Martin | 1902-1908 | |||
| 9 | John E. Swearingen | 1908-1922 | |||
| 10 | James H. Hope | 1922-1947 | |||
| 11 | Jesse T. Anderson | 1947-1967 | |||
| 12 | Cyril B. Busbee | 1967-1979 | |||
| 13 | Charlie G. Williams | 1979-1991 | |||
| 14 | Barbara S. Nielsen | 1991-1999 | |||
| 15 | Inez M. Tenenbaum | 1999-2007 |  Democratic
| ||
| 16 | Jim Rex | 2007-2011 | Democratic
| ||
| 17 | Mick Zais | 2011-2015 |  Republican
| ||
| 18 | Molly Mitchell Spearman | 2015-present | Republican
| ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Carolina Superintendent of Education. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
South Carolina State Superintendent of Education
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 734-8500
See also
| South Carolina | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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- South Carolina school districts
- South Carolina Department of Education
- Public education in South Carolina
External links
- South Carolina State Department of Education
- Superintendent's page
- South Carolina Department of Education on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ The Herald, "SC Senate Panel: Let governor choose state schools chief," February 14, 2013
- ↑ South Carolina General Assembly, "Joint Resolution," December 3, 2014
- ↑ Fits News, "SC Superintendent Vote Scrapped," March 27, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 South Carolina State Legislature, "South Carolina State Constitution," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 South Carolina Code of Laws, " Title 59, Chapter 3," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ South Carolina Legislature, "Appropriations Bill H. 5100," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑ South Carolina Department of Administration, "State Salaries Query," accessed July 15, 2024
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 29, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2021
- ↑ GoUpstate, "SC education chief says he won't report to board," December 6, 2011
- ↑ The Herald, "State ed. Board may sue Zais over reporting," December 9, 2011
- ↑ South Carolina State Department of Education, " Former State Superintendents of Education," accessed February 2, 2021
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