This year, S.C. voters will also weigh big change to how state education leader is selected

On Nov. 6, S.C. will have plenty of decisions to make at the ballot box. But one of the lesser-known choices will be a referendum on a proposed constitutional amendment to make the state’s education leader a position appointed by the governor.

As it stands today, the S.C. Superintendent of Education is one of a handful of statewide elected positions ranging from governor to adjutant general. In the past, that has led to clashes between superintendents and governors of opposite political parties and disparate political agendas.

The amendment, which will appear on the ballot for all S.C. voters, stipulates that the state Superintendent of Education must “be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.” The transition would come in 2023 or if there’s a vacancy in the office before then, whichever comes first. The current state superintendent is Molly Spearman, a Republican.

Initially filed in 2016, the bill triggering the statewide referendum eventually passed through both chambers with wide support.

By placing the position in the hands of the governor, the current administration would have tighter control over South Carolina education policy. Like other appointed positions, the superintendent would serve “at the pleasure of the governor,” meaning the governor could also fire the leader if they desired. [content-1] When the question came up during a public hearing, S.C. Sen. Mike Fanning, himself a former teacher, offered a different framing: “if you say you’re pro-public education, when we elect you, we expect you to do something about it.”

Approval of the amendment would put South Carolina in line with more than 35 other states which also have appointed education leaders instead of elected politicians. The amendment charges lawmakers with setting requirements for the job, which currently just requires someone to be a registered voter in the state.

Here’s how the question will appear on the ballot:

“A ‘Yes’ vote will require the Superintendent of Education be appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate.”

“A ‘No’ vote maintains the current method of electing a Superintendent of Education.”

Voters will get the chance to weigh in on the issue on Nov. 6th. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 17.