Lisa Ellis

Education

Funding schools more equitably by updating and fully funding the Base Student Cost formula created by the Education Finance Act. SC has not fully funded this amount since 2008, leaving the state’s schools behind billions in their budgets. Reducing testing by eliminating state tests that are not required by federal law, and giving districts better guidance on how to use formative assessments. Hiring more mental health professionals, school nurses, and other staff members to prioritize the health and safety of children. Learn more

Support state funding to allow every district to hire and provide continuing professional development for mental health professionals, social workers, and school nurses. Push for funding increases to bring SC schools up to the nationally- recommended student: counselor ratio. Advocate for research-based district policies to support LGBTQ+ youth, who are among the most statistically at risk group for adverse mental health outcomes. Encourage schools to develop robust extra-curricular programs to provide students with opportunities to develop soft skills and interact positively with their peers. Learn more

Push for South Carolina to use its unprecedented budget surplus to finally honor the state’s Education Finance Act by meeting or beating the Southeastern average teacher salary. Push for higher salaries for other essential staff, including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, substitute teachers, school nurses, and custodians. Use the oversight authority of the Superintendent’s office to reduce unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy that prevent teachers from doing their jobs and increase burnout. Encourage the passage of legislation to reform teacher contracts, and advise districts to work with staff members to provide working conditions which make them want to stay, instead of forcing them to stay by revoking teaching certificates. Learn more

Education Savings Accounts (which many call “vouchers”). Any redistribution of funds intended for public schools and educational institutions, for the benefit of private schools. Any violation of the SC state constitution’s prohibition against the state funding of private schools, and the exploitation of any legal loophole intended to violate the spirit of that prohibition. Learn more

Directing districts to make existing procedures and policies easily accessible to parents and guardians, if they are not already doing so. Encouraging districts to adopt board meeting procedures and practices that invite constructive dialogue with the community. Supporting revisions to the School Report Card that focus on measures of student and school success beyond the current overemphasis on test scores. Learn more

Teachers should be able to teach to state standards without fear of politically-motivated punishment or censorship. Students should have access to age-appropriate texts that reflect their diverse lived experiences and those of their classmates and community members. The whole of United States history should be taught. Learn more

A High Quality Education For Every Child. Learn more

Use Department of Education resources to equitably distribute medical supplies such as PPE. Work with health experts to give districts clear and consistent guidance on adopting responses to emerging health crises, including addressing permanent facilities issues such as ventilation. Solicit the expertise and advice of experts working within schools, as well as parents and community members, to identify and address issues. Learn more

Support funding to provide enough staff to fully supervise each campus. Work with the General Assembly and districts to prioritize and fund facilities upgrades, such as effective exterior and classroom door locks and controlled access points, which are research-supported ways to make buildings more secure. Work with districts to create and disseminate research-supported educational materials for parents and communities to promote safe firearm storage. Learn more