Schools chief should be a cabinet post, Haley urges lawmakers

S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley and schools chief Molly Spearman are encouraging lawmakers to make the state’s top education post an appointed position.

In a letter to legislators, Haley and Spearman urged the General Assembly to pass a resolution allowing the governor to appoint the superintendent of education. Voters would make the final decision through a referendum.

South Carolina is one of 13 states where the education superintendent is elected. “Instead of moving the state forward with a common vision for education priorities, this divided leadership structure can result in ... a lack of coordination and fragmented accountability for failures in our pre-K-12 education system,” the two Republicans wrote.

State Sen. Chip Campsen, R-Charleston and state Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester, will pre-file a bill to make the post a cabinet position next month.

This story was originally published November 14, 2016 at 4:14 PM with the headline "Schools chief should be a cabinet post, Haley urges lawmakers."