Kelly Payne wants to take on school choice.
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COLUMBIA -- School choice has been an ongoing debate in the Palmetto State for six years.
Even in a Republican-dominated legislature, supporters of a proposal that would help parents pay for private school tuition with public money still hasn’t passed.
As a teacher at Dutch Fork High School, Kelly Payne says she wants to make changes in education.
She’s focusing on choice in her campaign for state superintendent of education.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” said candidate Kelly Payne,
School choice has long been debated because it would use taxpayer money to help offset tuition costs by allowing parents to claim up to nearly $5,000 in tax credits.
“What school choice is becoming in South Carolina is something for the wealthy,” says Rep. Todd Rutherford. “I don’t know how you can better a school by taking a child out of that school and sending that child with the money to another program.”
Opponents of the measure think the voucher program would end up hurting most public schools, because they depend on enrollment for funding.
However, supporters like Payne say it would give students more educational opportunities.
I have some kids that rather be in auto mechanics, “says Payne, “they’re great with their hands, so we need to be able to give them a vocational option.”
As a teacher, Payne knows that change takes time, but she hopes her political choices will help speed up the process.
In addition to Payne, other Republicans in the race for state superintendent of education include Elizabeth Moffly, Brent Nelson, and Mick Zais.
Frank Holleman is the only Democrat currently in the race.
