Newberry President Running For Superintendent (Updated)
Former U.S. Army Officer and Newberry College President Mitchell M. “Mick” Zais announced Thursday that he is seeking the Republican nomination for Superintendent of Education.
“After much thought and prayer with my family, and with strong words of encouragement from Republican activists, business leaders and education professionals, I am proud to announce I am a Republican candidate for the office of State Superintendent of Education,” Zais said in a statement released from his campaign. “We have some superb public schools in South Carolina – but more can be done to ensure that every child in our state has access to an excellent school, is led by an excellent principal and is taught by an excellent teacher.”
Two other Republicans, Dutch Fork High School teacher Kelly Payne and Furman University professor Brent Nelsen, are currently running for the position.
Zais’ announcement was long on platitudes and short on specifics, so it will be interesting to see where he positions himself on key issues like funding reform, accountability, bureaucratic consolidation and parental choice.
Clearly, the Palmetto State’s problems are ripe for real reform, not more lip service – and not more money.
Despite record funding increases – including hundreds of millions spent on “accountability” – the last decade has seen further deterioration of South Carolina’s already dismal academic performance, as students at our best and worst schools continue falling further behind their regional and national peers.
A report published last month showed that South Carolina’s overall graduation rate (61%) remains among the worst in the nation – which is consistent with our state’s declining SAT and ACT scores. Earlier this week, another report showed our state’s rural graduation rate (52.3%) ranks as the worst in the nation.
We don’t know how bad it is for minority students (because South Carolina is the only state in the nation that refuses to release its minority graduation rate), but we know that national data shows a growing achievement gap between white and black students in South Carolina, which is even more troubling considering our “best and brightest” are falling further behind their peers, as well.
What has been lawmakers’ and educrat leaders’ response to all this?
Well in addition to begging for more money (despite the fact that per pupil funding in South Carolina is currently at its highest level ever), most recently the Education Oversight Committee made a move to “dumb down” the state’s academic standards to make it look like more students were passing the state’s assessment exam.
All this, of course, is by way of saying that “Mick” Zais had better come with something more than just rhetoric in this race – something which goes for all the candidates.
Comments
By Checking them all out on November 12th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Guess he needed a new job or project. Typical of a college administrator.
By HammerheadSC on November 12th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Wow what ignorance Checking……
By Billy Bob on November 12th, 2009 at 8:30 am
This is the most qualified candidate the Republicans have had for State Supt. of Education in 16 years. Zais is a conservative with credentials. He knows the education establishment and he will work hard to change it.
The other two people running for Supt. of Education have not raised any money. Zais will be able to raise more money than either of them combined.
I am excited about Zais and I believe he will be a great candidate and a great Supt. of Education.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on November 12th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Bonus: his daughter is amazingly hot!
http://www.carterstudios.com/pageant/zais/zais.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Zais
By Pause for Thought on November 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
He does seem to be a bad ass; Vietnam vet, command experience at the platoon, company, batalion, and command level. He also stood up to the NAACP and turned around Newberry after the wheels had fallen off the wagon there.
Will is right – we need to see some detailed policy ideas – but at a first glance, he has some exceptionality when compared to others in the field (either party).
By FtMill#3 on November 12th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Checking them all out, get a life
By Brandon on November 12th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Take a look at the demographics of the 39% that don’t graduate and you’ll see that the problem is not the schools, it’s the students. Most will continue to blame something else, less they be called racist.
By OnNoNotAgain on November 12th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Do we really want him to be our Education Super?
”
He was more of a keeper of the faith than a scientist.
By A person that knows on November 12th, 2009 at 11:01 am
My opinion hasn’t changed on this race. Kelly Payne is the easy choice for this race. She is the only candidate with a plan to get rid of top-heavy administration and costs. She is the only candidate that will reign in out-of-control spening in education.
By ZaisIsTheMan on November 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Im not a republican or a Newberry fan, but General Zais is by far the best candidate the Republicans have in the current field (and likely the best they can field) for Education Supertindent. He is a man that gets the job done. Having served as a brigadier general in the US ARMY, he is definitely a man who knows how to get more done with less and to always accomplish the mission. Also, General Zais’ work ethnic works in education. He came to Newberry which was near the point of closing the doors and has greatly improved the college’s education quality while increasing the profitability of the school and thus being able to expand what Newberry offers. If this does not show that he can get the job done, then I dont know what the hell does.
By mynameefang on November 12th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I know why I am voting for him…http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.donkeydish.com/images/gallery/ashley-zais-picture_283×366.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.donkeydish.com/tags/ashley-zais/&h=366&w=283&sz=16&tbnid=B8bbPlVJKqSiFM:&tbnh=122&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dashley%2Bzais&usg=__d462lqlc5DWHqq_Fzr7MFAGESxE=&ei=wjT8Sv6kLonjnAfx6rGbBQ&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&ved=0CAkQ9QEwAA
By Andrew on November 12th, 2009 at 11:37 am
“A person that knows on”, what is Kelly Payne’s plan to reign in spending and get rid of top-heavy administration?
Has she ever demonstrated that she can implement a plan in the face of bureaucratic and legislative opposition before? Where in her past, has she shown that she can handle a $4 billion department?
By Billy Bob on November 12th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Who is that fake Billy Bob above – stealing my name??????????
By Billy Bob on November 12th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
ps: He (fake Billy Bob) needs grammar lessons – - “either of them combined” must be the worst line since “dark and stormy night”
By OnNoNotAgain on November 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
I tried to post a pic of Dr. Zaius from Planet of the Apes there. Apparently didn’t work.
By weighing in on November 12th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Having known President Zais and worked with him on issues you won’t find a more qualified candidate. He is focused, disciplined, and not afraid of a challenge. He has Newberry back in the right track after it slipped, and has them ranked in the top small liberal arts schools in several publications. He will be a quality R candidate that will not buckle under pressure or be afraid to give his opinion.
Kelly Payne, while a qualified teacher, is nothing more than the SC Policy Council’s candidate (you know the people that said Boeing was bad for SC) and should stay in the classroom or run for the House. She is about as qualified as a monkey to be Supt of Edu. You need an administrator for that at minimum, and that she is not.
By HMMM on November 12th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Reign in spending? Really?
By Crooner on November 12th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Fits just likes anybody named Mick.
By ed rollins on November 12th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
If he is such a great educator and newberry made improvements
under him , why did he send his daughter to wofford ?
By Anon on November 12th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Maybe because his daughter chose Wofford?
By Stupid Question on November 12th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Ed, probably because nobody wants to go to the college where everyone thinks they got ahead because their father runs the place.
By Real Reform on November 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Brent Nelsen remains the only candidate in the race to link education and jobs. Go to his website and see his plan to reinvent South Carolina education in a way that has never been done before.
All three candidates are quality individuals, but South Carolina needs someone who understands the public education arena and our dire economic situation. Brent Nelsen for Superintendent!
By OnNoNotAgain on November 12th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Didn’t stop either of the Holderman daughters from attending USC.
Heck, one of them was homecoming queen.
By blackjack on November 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Should have let Newbwrry college die. There’s too many college’s & universities in this country now. We got Ivey leaguer’s running the country now—-look at the mess we are in. The education industrial complex is a cruel hoax.
By Someone In the Know on November 12th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Interesting… Zais running for office just as his contract is almost up at Newberry….anyone else wondering why it is that it appears the Board will not be renewing his stay at Newberry????????
By hardyboys on November 13th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Kelly Payne is the only candidate to “turn our education system” around. Have I met her? No, but what I have heard and read gives me reason to believe she is on the right track. Inez Tennebaum “ruined” our education system and Jim Rex has continued the “road to ruin”.
I don’t understand why people don’t get it! South Carolina is always last or almost last in everything. Let me rephrase that. We are at the top of the “bad list” and the bottom of the “good list”.
Are you getting the picture NOW?
Vote for and elect someone that “truly cares” for our children and our State of South Carolina. Kelly Payne is the one.
By Stupid Stupid Stupid on November 13th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Someone in the Know,
Really? You’re not in the know, bro. I can tell you first hand that Mick Zais can stay at Newberry as long as his heart desires. So don’t go and slum around making things up. That’s par for the course when your own candidate got straightup outclassed and is less qualified than Zais/
As for the comment about Brent Nelsen, running for Governor for a few months, now Education Super. Give it a few weeks, and he’ll jump in the 4th Congressional District. Call it.
By I know more on November 13th, 2009 at 10:17 am
In 2000, Zais promised he would stay at Newberry for at least ten years. He honorably kept his word.
By UpstateChris on November 13th, 2009 at 10:59 am
He does appear to be the most qualified at this point in the race. My biggest concern is getting a R (not a RINO) as Super. The VERY VERY top heavy Dept of Ed is filled with completely ignorant outspoken Democrats. They are not ignorant because they are Democrats – they are ignorant because they are, well, ignorant. Someone needs the balls to step in and just fire every at-will piece of crap in the Rutledge Building. There is no possible way to make that place any worse.
By Andrew on November 13th, 2009 at 11:26 am
What has Kelly Payne done to turn our education system around? She seems like a very capable high school teacher. Yet there are hundreds of those around the state. What sets her apart?
Why would Nelsen run for the 4th District, when he’s very close to Inglis? What does he bring to the table?
Zais’ website does not say that he is a Republican. Is he ready to meet the demands of GOP primary voters? Former military personal often struggle in partisan races, for good reason.
By ed rollins on November 13th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
zais is doing great at Newberry, fired football coach with no explanation
and hired former gamecock Brad Edwards as Athletic Director and forner
gamecock Mike Hold as Asst Athletic Director.
By SnakeMD on November 14th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
If Inez Tennebaum did such a bad job why was she hand picked by the Obama administration to work in Washington?
By weighing in on November 16th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Someone in the Know,
You had best justify those remarks. I can assure you that Mick Zais could stay at Newberry as long as he wanted and has the unanimous backing of the BOT.
Ed Rollins,
Zak Willis was let go because of some internal things that didn’t fit with what Newberry was doing. While a good coach, his presence isn’t missed. The AD at the time, Andy Carter had great ideas and plans, but never implemented them properly and thus left to go to another school. Brad Edwards is a great fit at Newberry and is a very good thing for the program. With Brad, he brought Mike in, like many AD’s,Presidents, Governors etc do. It’s called assembling your staff.
By Outsider on November 16th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
TO: Weighing In
Just wondering.. how much do you know about Kelly Payne. Apparently not much or you would realize that she fits this position perfectly. She has a vast amount of experience in the field. She is also very persistent and will do anything to further the education system. She is dedicated to her work no matter what it is. I am offended that you would compare her to a monkey. Not very civilized of you now is it. Maybe it’s you who resembles that of a monkey. I mean judging by your post alone I’d be willing to say that your not very intelligent.