Education superintendent; Jerry N. Govan Jr. (D)
Date of birth, including year: Born March 17, 1958 Orangeburg, SC
Numbers of years living in the district you seek to represent:
I was born and have lived both my childhood and adult life in South Carolina with the exception of brief periods of time due to employment opportunities or family situations.
Family: Married to the former Wanda E. Gibson of Estill, SC with four children, Shawntara (Major USAF), Jeri Nicole, LaWanda and Gabrielle (Age 15 of the home). Three Grandchildren, Kamryn, Tony Michael, III and Tyler. Caregiver to Mother, Roberta (age 97 of the home).
Education: 1976-1982 Bachelor of Arts Degree, SC State University
2001-2003 Master of Arts in Teaching, SC State University
2012-Present Education Specialist, Leadership & Administration (Candidate, Pending Completion), South Carolina State University
Additional Graduate Studies pursued at the University of South Carolina in the areas of Administrative Law, Public Finance, Personnel & Public Administration & Organizational Development
Current Occupation /employer
2006-Present Orangeburg County School Attendance Supervisor
Responsible for monitoring and enforcement of State’s Compulsory Attendance Law including serving as liaison with County School Districts, the Solicitor’s Office, Family Court and other agencies
2014-Present Exclusive Agent/Owner Horace Mann Companies, The Govan Insurance Agency
Small Business owner associated with a niche market company that provides insurance products and services in a five county area.
NOTE: Mr. Govan’s employment, volunteer and work history have been moved to the bottom of the questionnaire.
Please list year and office of any unsuccessful runs for public office:
NONE
Other Political and government experience:
Member South Carolina General Assembly (First elected November 1992)
1993-Present Senior Member, South Carolina House Representatives (Ranked 5th of 124)
2005-Present Senior Member, House Education & Public Works Committee
1992-Present Senior Member, State House Committee
1998-Present Senior Member, House Rules Committee
2007-Present Senior Member Higher Education Study Committee
2008-2010 Chairman, South Carolina Juvenile Justice Task Force
2004-2005 Member, House Medical, Military & Municipal Affairs Committee
2004-2006 Chairman, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
2002-2004 Chairman-Elect, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
1992-2004 Member, House Judiciary Committee
1994-1996 SC House Legislative Welfare Reform Task Force
1993-2003 Parliamentarian, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
Key endorsements you have received:
Several members of the SC General Assembly
1. What makes you the most qualified person to hold this position? (Be specific.)
a) 21 years experience as a policymaker
b) 19 years experience as an educator
c) I have a broad array of experience outside the traditional educational model of working with both parents and students, particularly those at risk. I am both a parent and grandparent who are repeatedly forgotten in the process, but are being called upon to stand in the gap for their grandchildren
d) But most importantly, I believe in the product that's why am running as an “Advocate in chief”
2. What will be your top three priorities if you are elected? (100 words for each issue)
3a. For non-incumbents; how would your approach to your job differ from your incumbent's?
Rather than dictate policies that don't work, I would collaborate and build consensus with both educational and non-educational stakeholders in the educational process.
3b. For incumbents: what do you consider your most significant accomplishments in this office?
As a member of the SC House of Representatives, I have successfully passed legislation favorably impacting education and youth in general.
In 1993 as a freshman legislator, I succeed in passing legislation leading to the creation of the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services and establishing it as a cabinet level agency.
In 2004, my first year as chairman of South Carolina legislative Black Caucus, I collaborated with Judge Bill Byars and the DJJ to create teen afterschool centers (TASC) which became a national model.
In 2004 & 2005 on a National Task Force on Financial Literacy, I orchestrated the passage of two bills making financial literacy a part of curriculum and standards in K-12 schools throughout South Carolina.
I also successfully introduced legislation made it mandatory for trauma centers to have available you the appropriate equipment for emergency treatment.
Most recently, successfully introduced legislation that will create a task force on school safety, a major collaboration that will assess our states readiness and ability to respond to situations like Newtown PA. It is our hope that this task force will look at issues ranging from school safety plans and threat assessment to mental health and early identification intervention initiatives particularly addressing bullying and harassment in our schools.
4. Describe at least one significant political position you hold that would clash with your political base?
I cannot think of any and this time.
5. The ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by professional licensing board organization or having ethics complaint filed against you? If so, please give the details.
No
6. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy of been delinquent on your federal, state or local taxes? If so, please give the details.
No
7. Are there any personal details about you and voters would be interested in knowing?
I consider myself a servant leader who feels strongly about the importance of faith and empowering others. I believe that there is nothing that we cannot accomplish when we join together in a common cause united with one hope, one vision one Carolina.
Following is Mr. Govan’s answer to the question about his employment, miilitary and volunteer history
Employment history
2005-2006 Drop-Out Prevention Coordinator, Orangeburg Consolidated Schools, Districts 3, 4, &5
Responsible for the coordination of Dropout Prevention programming in a county-wide area consisting of approximately fifteen-thousand students.
1999-2005 Literacy Consultant, Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five
Responsible for coordination of the Adult Literacy Program. Specifically, the implementation and operation of the Community Education component of Orangeburg County Adult Education including Adult Basic Education and Workplace Literacy.
1998-1999 Parenting & After School Coordinator, Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five
Responsible for the supervision of District-wide Parenting and After-School Program including operations, budgeting and management. In addition to implementation of the District’s Parenting and Family literacy mandate under Act 135, was successful in writing grant that expanded After school Program to Elementary Schools throughout Consolidated District Five.
1995-1998 Parent Educator, Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five
Responsible for assisting with the coordination and implementation of District-wide Parenting Program including planning and implementation of Parent workshops, community outreach and home visits.
1990-1992 Primary Prevention Specialist III, (Program Coordinator) Tri-County Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse
As Program Coordinator, was responsible for community alcohol and drug prevention programming. Coordinated outreach for a community-based anti-drug coalition.
1989-1990 Intervention Specialist (Program Coordinator) Tri-County Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse
As Coordinator of the Pre-Trial Intervention Program, was responsible for program administration. Provided assessments, referrals, counseling and treatment services to program participants in addition to coordination of victim restitution and community services.
1989 Case Manager, Alston Wilkes Society
1988-1989 Juvenile Correctional Officer, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
1986-1988 President, CEO Management Consultants
1985-1986 Director, Small Business Development Center, South Carolina State University
1984-1985 Assist. Personnel Dir. Personnel Spec. II, South Carolina State University
1984- Recruiting & Affirmative Action Officer Personnel Specialist II, South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control
1982-1984 Research Assistant, South Carolina Senate
1980 Governors Intern, South Carolina Commission on Human Affairs
1979-1980 Personnel Specialist, U.S. Department of the Navy
1978 Rural Intern, National Conference of Black Mayors
CERTIFICATIONS (Former and current)
Military History
2008 Appointment (Major) Joint Services Detachment of the South Carolina Military Department
1980 Graduate, Officer Candidate School, United States Marine Corps
1978-1980 United States Marine Corps Reserves (Honorable Discharge)
Volunteer History
2013-Present State Board of Directors, South Carolina First Steps
2013-Present South Carolina Financial Literacy Trust Board
2004 - 2005 Lt. Governor Division 21 Carolinas District, Kiwanis International,
2000- Present Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five Foundation
2002- Present Claflin University Board of Visitors,
2006- 2007 Executive Board, South Carolina SAEP II Project on Effective School Leadership
2003 - 2007 National Black Caucus Institute Financial Literacy Task Force.
1998 - 2006 Board of Directors of the Southeastern Regional Vision for Education (SERVE)
1998 - 2006 State Department of Education Early Childhood Family Literacy Advisory Committee
2000 – 2002 Governor’s Juvenile Justice Community Task Force Youth Council 1st Judicial Circuit
1991-Present The Kiwanis Club of Orangeburg (Past President, Board Member)
Please list all public offices to which you’ve been elected, when and where:
Member South Carolina General Assembly (First elected November 1992)
1993-Present Senior Member, South Carolina House Representatives (Ranked 5th of 124)
2005-Present Senior Member, House Education & Public Works Committee
1992-Present Senior Member, State House Committee
1998-Present Senior Member, House Rules Committee
2007-Present Senior Member Higher Education Study Committee
2008-2010 Chairman, South Carolina Juvenile Justice Task Force
2004-2005 Member, House Medical, Military & Municipal Affairs Committee
2004-2006 Chairman, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
2002-2004 Chairman-Elect, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
1992-2004 Member, House Judiciary Committee
1994-1996 SC House Legislative Welfare Reform Task Force
1993-2003 Parliamentarian, South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus
HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
***2012 National Center for Dropout Prevention, Governor & Mrs. Richard W. Riley Award
For Excellence In Dropout Prevention
***2010 South Carolina Association of School Administrators
Excellence in Education Award
***2010 South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
In Recognition and Support of Higher Education
***2006 South Carolina Commission on National & Community Service
Recipient, Palmetto Passion and Public Service Award
***2006 South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
In recognition of Generous Support & Creation of Teen After -School Centers
***2005 National Black Caucus State Institute, for Outstanding, Service and Support of Financial Literacy Education
2005 Orangeburg Chapter, The Links Inc., National Trends and Services Facet In Recognition of Outstanding Service to the Orangeburg Community
2005 Orangeburg Chapter, American Business Women’s Association
Business Associate of the Year
2005 Orangeburg Branch, NAACP
In Recognition & Appreciation of Service to the Orangeburg Community
***2005 SC Alliance for After-School Programs
In Recognition of Service and Support of After-School Programs
***2003 Recognition A+ Legislator Award; South Carolina Education Association
***2002 Distinguished Service Award, South Carolina State University, “In recognition of extraordinary accomplishments in government and service to humanity”
***2001 Distinguished Service Award, Delta Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
***1999 Presidential Citation, Presented by Claflin College for “Outstanding Accomplishments In Drug Prevention, Service To The Community and Support of Higher Education”
1999 Outstanding Community Service Award, Edisto-Area Benedict Alumni Club.
***1998 Recognition; Mothers Against Drunk Driving for “Significant Contributions Towards Safe, Sober Roadways In South Carolina”
***1998 Legislator of the Year, SC Association of School Administrators Adult Education Directors Division, for “Continuous Support & Leadership In Adult Education”
1997 Living the Legacy Award, Columbia Section; National Council of Negro Women, Inc.,
1995 Omega Man of the Year, Epsilon Omega Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
***1994 Commendation, SC Association, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Directors for “Outstanding Contributions in the field of Substance Abuse Prevention”
***1994 TRIO Outstanding Achievement Award, Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunities (Upward Bound Alumnus)
ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIPS
Epsilon Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated,
Licensed Minister, Olive Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
2008 Appointment (Major) Joint Services Detachment of the South Carolina Military Department
1999 Alumnus, Fleming Fellows Leadership Institute
1992 Alumnus, Leadership South Carolina
1990 Alumnus, Leadership Orangeburg
1980 Graduate, Officer Candidate School, United States Marine Corps
This story was originally published May 26, 2014 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Education superintendent; Jerry N. Govan Jr. (D)."