By FITSNews || Jim Rex’s use of taxpayer-funded “educational” television to rally teachers and school administrators in support of tax hikes has several South Carolina lawmakers sharply criticizing the State Superintendent of Education and democratic gubernatorial “frontrunner.”
Rex used SCETV resources on Monday to address teachers and other public school employees, yet rather than discussing academic issues related to his job as State Superintendent, he basically used the forum as a campaign event.
Specifically, Rex attempted to mobilize school personnel in support of his political ends – namely preserving record education funding increases during the worst recession in eight decades and passing a cigarette tax increase, both of which are central themes of Rex’s gubernatorial campaign.
Employee participation wasn’t compulsory, but “educators are encouraged to participate,” a taxpayer-funded email sent out in advance of Rex’s statewide, closed-circuit TV appearance noted.
Lawmakers were displeased.
“Parents should know that he seems more worried about his political future and not their child’s educational future,” said S.C. Rep. Kris Crawford, whose wife and mother are public educators.
“Despite the long hours (teachers) put in, both in the classroom and preparing lesson, Jim Rex wants them to take time away from that to listen to his stump speech,” Crawford said.
“Dr. Rex tripled the number of employees making over $100,000 a year when he took office,” S.C. Sen. Lee Bright added. “If those well-paid employees would rather participate in campaign events than finding solutions, we should be looking harder at cutting the employment rolls in the Rutledge Building. That move alone could save a teacher in every school district.”
Indeed, administrative cost increases have far outpaced growth in classroom expenses during Rex’s tenure.
That’s one reason why – despite receiving record amounts of funding – South Carolina’s public schools have fallen further behind the rest of the nation.
For his part, Rex’s “leadership” has consisted of blaming others and fighting against real reforms that would give parents greater choice over their children’s academic future.
The fact that he’s now “whining on your dime?”
It’s not surprising at all, sadly …
By fred March 9, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Come on Fits, give Rex a break. Blasting a campaign message through the TV’s in our public schools are the only way to get ANYONE to pay attention to his campaign!
Rasmussen Poll shows that Rex is now in a dead heat with Sheheen in this race.
Rex’s numbers are as low as a Public School student’s SAT scores!
Fred
By Checking in March 9, 2010 at 5:05 pm
There’s some geniuses for ya. Lee Dim…er Bright and his hold the Senate hostage over the 10th Amendment, a pointless resolution that has no effect at all. And his campaign manager, Dr. Smart Guy.
Isn’t Andre Bauer being on all the PSA’s the same…even though he hasn’t “announced”
And for the record,I wouldn’t vote for Rex if my life depended on it..well maybe in that case…but let’s be fair here fellas.
By Boogey Man Meister March 9, 2010 at 9:49 pm
Attorneys can draw this out for Ten Years, in a legal debate: is It Politicking, or just Professionalism. Was it paranoia or just concern?
By Boogey Man Meister March 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Education Administrators, in Generallity, are not Corrupt. Financy Schmancies– like that guy that didn’t get Elected, has been Appointed by The Goobernor Sanford, They are designed to Corrupt. Built for handling money, and to pilfer the poor peoples.
By Boogey Man Meister March 9, 2010 at 10:04 pm
“Lips” Manlis — 1989’2 Dick Tracey. He was Senator Strom Thurmond, always smacking/sucking the teeth. That was Thurmond’s trademark!
Ehhhckstrom, Richard EhhhhhckStrom, now make sure you get that right!…
By Ynotfirst March 10, 2010 at 7:22 am
tax alcohol and you’ll make more money!
By Skidmarks March 10, 2010 at 9:32 am
This is no more politics than soliciting endorsements from district superintendents for your gubernatorial campaign.
Great God, they all take us for idiots.
By The Colonel March 10, 2010 at 9:48 am
Ynot – I guess your talking about making money on all the alcohol taxes you’d raise on Boogy man meister – he must be drunk, I didn’t understand anything he wrote…
On to the issue at hand – can we convince Rex to just give up now? He ties in polls with the 1st loser in the race and doesn’t have enough money to have a good “I’m withdrawing” press conference.