By FITSNews || Touting aggressive funding and accountability reforms and more choices for parents, Dutch Fork (S.C.) High School teacher Kelly Payne kicked off her campaign for State Superintendent of Education on Thursday with a far-ranging policy speech that put to rest any doubts as to whether or not hers would be a substantive candidacy.
“We spend $8.4 billion a year on education and yet teachers are still forced to pay for the supplies they need out of their own pockets, even in well-funded districts,” Payne said. “There’s something fundamentally wrong with that.”
Payne also blasted a system “that gets more money every year and yet less than half of that money is actually going to the classrooms.”
As a remedy, Payne proposed eliminating South Carolina’s current funding delivery system – complete with what she called its “army of bureaucrats” – and replacing it with a streamlined system of block grants that would be sent directly to districts based on student population.
Additionally, Payne said that if elected she would post all of the state’s education expenses online so that “taxpayers can see not only how much money we are spending … but where that money is going down to the last nickel.”
“This is a small up-front cost that will pay huge dividends down the road,” Payne said.
Payne also took aim at South Carolina’s failed accountability efforts, which she said are too expensive and fail to provide teachers with the data they need to do their jobs.
“We cannot move a few letters around and call it accountability,” Payne said, referring to South Carolina’s shift from the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) to the equally costly and ineffective Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS). “We have to insist on real reform.”
She also took direct aim at the politicization of the State Superintendent’s office as well as the Education Oversight Committee, saying she would support moving the functions of both agencies under the Cabinet of future governors. Of course Payne quickly added that “much more than structure we need to start worrying about getting the job done with respect to accountability.”
“That – in a nutshell – is the problem in Columbia,” Payne said. “Everyone wants more authority but they don’t want the responsibility that comes with it.”
Payne also sought to differentiate herself from the state’s two previous superintendents, one of whom is currently running for governor while the other works in Washington in the administration of President Barack Obama.
“I don’t dream of going to the governor’s mansion or Washington D.C. one day,” Payne said. “Not unless I’m leading a field trip. When I’m done turning this system around, I am going to go back to being a teacher.”
Not surprisingly, Payne has the political establishment scared.
Along with the television news cameras, the campaign manager for Newberry College President Mitchell Zais – who is also running for State Superintendent – was in the crowd videotaping Payne’s remarks.
And within minutes of Payne stepping to the podium FITS had already received an email chastising her choice of venue, saying that she should have known that EdVenture Children’s Museum was the recent recipient of a federal “stimulus” grant.
And why wouldn’t they be scared?
As much as we’ve always been big fans of Payne’s, we had no idea she was going to step to the plate with such a substantive speech right out of the gate.
WEB EXTRA
By beentook2 January 22, 2010 at 8:28 am
So the dragon lady is going to “post expenses online —so taxpayers can see not only how much money we are spending … but where that money is going down to the last nickel.” What the crap is that going to do for my wallet? Talk is beyond cheap and posting accounts online is even cheaper. The only thing all this posting horse hockey is going to do is piss me off more. Sic is sick if he thinks this is “substantive” stuff.
By Toyota Kawaski January 22, 2010 at 8:32 am
took her that long to get the talking points down from a pencil neck geek consultant that’s why she just announced
By Allen January 22, 2010 at 8:55 am
I have Known Kelly for a while now and her intentions are genuine, as far as transparency, that is but the first step, when we as tax paying citizens see how our politicians are sqaunering OUR money, then maybe, just maybe the politicians will get the message and actually be held accountable. At least with Kelly Payne we have a choice of real solutions as opposed to the same ole same ole
By sic hater January 22, 2010 at 9:00 am
Looks like another of “paid in pussy” client for sic william. he is praising kelly paynes speech because he probably wrote it like he “writes” nikki haleys.
By baker January 22, 2010 at 9:26 am
Ah…..the “less the half the money to the classroom” line.
This must be a right-wing dream candidate: a public school teacher who will echo the misleading SCRG talking points.
By baker January 22, 2010 at 9:48 am
That was actually an interesting and mostly very well-written speech. I liked much of what she had to say. Early childhood education, or “preventative” efforts — good stuff.
I think her stance on private school choice won’t fly for long. She’s obviously tried to duck that issue. She talks about fixing a lot of things that must come out of the legislature, but then says the state super. has no real say-so on this issue. Then she says she won’t turn the DOE into a “lobbying organization” to fight private school choice…..sounds fine, but what does that mean? Does Kelly Payne REALLY mean that if she examines proposals for private school choice and determines them to be detrimental to public education and the majority of the kids in the system, she won’t lobby against such proposals? I’d argue that would be part of her job (conversely, if she thinks giving public money to families so they can choose private school is a great thing for SC’s overall education scene, then she should lobby in favor….).
Again, it’s a pretty impressive speech in a lot of ways. But I think it fails dramatically to give an appropriate answer to the choice question.
By sic hater January 22, 2010 at 10:00 am
Baker this speech was paid in pussy you fool.
By countryboy January 22, 2010 at 10:06 am
I believe this lady is running solely to try to bring about positive change in the SC education system and she has my vote and support.
By HMMM January 22, 2010 at 10:24 am
Amen to that, Baker. The job of the State Superintendent of Education is to get done what’s needed to advance public education. Ms. Payne can’t possibly not have an opinion on whether vouchers would be good or bad for public schools, and it would be her job to argue that view — just like it would be her job to push for accountability reform or funding reform or whatever else she thinks is needed.
I was also surprised to hear her parrot the silly claim that less than half of funding reaches the classroom. She’s a teacher, and she knows better.
By beentook2 January 22, 2010 at 10:44 am
Do you think Dragon Lady has made teeny weenie willie’s web site available to her classes(sorry for plagiarizing your moniker Ms. Jenerrette)? Really, if Dragon Lady’s class is the number Uno Political Forum in the State then truly willie has to be all over her, class that is.
By Liberty For Me January 22, 2010 at 10:59 am
I think some of you idiots think it gives you power to attck people for no reason…If you are so proud of your beliefs and standards and you are not going to run yourself. Then at least post who you will vote for so we can see what you do stand for.Payne will get my vote
By Gillon January 22, 2010 at 11:25 am
“Not surprisingly, Payne has the political establishment scared.” Who exactly would that be? Republican, Democrat? Conservative, Liberal? Upstate, Lower State, Midlands? Urban, Rural? Help me out, name me some names.
By Weighing In January 22, 2010 at 11:49 am
She has no one scared and will not be a candidate in Nov.
By countryboy January 22, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Liberty for me- I think the lady has a lot of people scared, with the trash talk against her right from the git go. She will get my vote as well and as many others as I can persuade to vote for her in Chesterfield County.
By Rick January 22, 2010 at 12:51 pm
As bad as the good ol’ boy and education systems are in this state, we have nothing to lose by supporting a teacher with her beliefs. Ms Payne, you’ve got my vote….don’t become a part of the problem, remain a part of the solution… good luck
By baker January 22, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Regarding “countryboy” and “freedom for me”‘s comments:
I don’t agree with bashing Kelly Payne, either. Some of the comments here are out of line. And it sounds like she’s a very good teacher who cares about her students. I do not doubt that her intentions are good.
But I think it’s altogether reasonable to note Payne’s faulty logic about the school choice issue, as well as her spreading the misleading line of SCRG.
By CNChapin January 22, 2010 at 2:24 pm
You know you have a good person running when so many people line-up to attack them personally (and politically). Kelly is someone who is going to shake things up and not allow the status quo. Transparency scares the hell out of most people in government and is just the first step in the process of getting the gaping hole plugged in the hull of the sinking ship that is the South Carolina public school system.
It’s also hilarious how women are automatically treated like they are whores by the people who favor the establishment. That shows all we need to know about the character of the type of people who support colostomy bags like McMaster and Zeis. It could NEVER be that a motivated woman moves up in the world and becomes a true leader while never taking her clothes off, right? I mean, women aren’t even given enough intelligence to drive since you don’t need a car to get from the bedroom to the kitchen and back, right guys?
You circle jerking doughnut eaters make me sick with your condescending attitudes towards women. Wake the hell up. You and the people you prefer in office have accomplished nothing positive for this state… unless Jackie “Buffet-Busting” Knotts style governing is what you call “positive.”
Kelly, if you’re reading this, I say keep giving them hell and see the insults for what they are: A true sign that you’re being successful and doing the right thing! Take it all with a grain of salt and just remember that those who criticize the most are most afraid because they know what you are capable of!!
By HMMM January 22, 2010 at 2:56 pm
She won’t get my vote, unless she stops spouting the party line and starts talking sense.
By beentook2 January 22, 2010 at 3:56 pm
To CNChapin. Go girl. Take that knife and cut all their balls off. All them scum sucking circle jerking doughnut eaters deserve it. Especially those who eat and drink at Fat Buddies.
Wake up CNChapin and get your head out of your ass. The cockroaches currently feeding at the State House see everyday how they are squandering my damn tax dollars and they don’t give a rat’s ass as long as they get theirs. You could tattoo the figures on their foreheads and the bastards would just remove all the mirrors. Transparency ain’t going to do squat.
Stalag District 5, where Dragon Lady teaches, just conned the taxpayers out of over $250 million promising all the time they would be “transparent”,”forthcoming” and “open”. As soon as Stalag 5 officials got the bull(money)the taxpayers got the horn.
If Dragon Lady wants reform, then how about take all that energy, dreams,enthusiasm and start her reformation movement by cleaning up in her own backyard.
As for her candidacy I haven’t seen or read anything that would qualify her for a statewide office. As for treating her like a whore, don’t think so. However, when anyone regardless of their sex, religion, creed, height, weight or any other identifier steps into the political ring, they will get and deserve everything that hits them. If Dragon Lady cannot stand up to the simple minded backwoods peckerhead perverts who write into this blog, she surely will be eaten alive statewide.
Just to stay in character you may suggest to your friend that if she has any bikini shots like those of the two in Massachusetts it would not hurt her campaign to post them on Internet.
By ryan January 22, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Well what does she have to say about Lexington District V paying J. Bollman, a CLASSROOM TEACHER, a salary of $136,000. Check it out candidate. Start dealing with this type of corruption and cover up.
By CNChapin January 22, 2010 at 4:34 pm
beentook2, I’m a man, but good try anyway. I hope that sexism works out for you in the future. ;)
FAIL!
By Dawn January 22, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Well good luck with taking anything on in District V. We have been told by the current supt. that if we are caught talking about anything negative in the district, including what is going on with Bollman, that we will be fired. He wants no more negative publicity????
By Mab January 22, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Tell the super to elf himself, Dawn. It is most cathartic!
By Fist News January 25, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Looks like a lot of Zais supporters are already worried about the teacher candidate. So sad to see candidates and supporters resort to sexist remarks to denigrate an outsider in order to disguise their own candidate’s, eh, shortcomings. But you really need to know how to do this properly. Attacking by debasing is the quickest way for voters to conclude the source of the attack is from the opposition candidate.
As for whether or not Ms. Payne had to horizontally work her way up the ladder, I’m not against that. I’m sure she could get a lot further on her back than Inez could on her toes. Just sayin.
I’m impressed with Ms. Payne’s speech and am looking forward to a good debate. It’s a big job she’s running to fill and she’ll have some heady competition. It’s not a beauty contest (though if someone does have pics, I’ll wager they’d help me make my decision).