Democratic nominee Frank Holleman calls for the end of school vouchers, more progressive early childhood education
A little mishap with the lights going out didn’t stop Democratic nominee for State Superintendent of Education Frank Holleman from continuing his speech. Holleman visited Winthrop University Thursday night as a part of the John C. West Forum on Politics and Policy.
Holleman began his political career serving under former S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges as the founding Vice Chair of S.C. First Steps to School Readiness, a statewide initiative to prepare young children to succeed in school.
A major topic in Holleman’s speech tonight had to deal with his evident opposition of school vouchers towards private institutions. “I am an opponent of vouchers and private school credit,” said Holleman. “I think these proposals are contrary to the education department.”
Holleman said that the implementation of school vouchers would unfairly and uneasily increase taxes for S.C. residents in order to fund the program. “There is no data to back up the fact that a private school education will benefit a child more than a public school education,” said Holleman. “The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) of a school should not reflect its performance. It is still a great school.”
Another major initiative Holleman wanted to touch on was the amount of funding in the public school system. It was at this time also when he criticized the doctrine of his opponent, Republican nominee for State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais. Holleman said that Zais was against increasing funding to the public school system and suggested that public education had enough money. “I believe it is factually wrong and an idiotical statement to assume the public school system has enough money,” Holleman said. “Districts are cutting art programs, afterschool programs and teacher positions due to a lack of funding.”
Holleman expressed during his speech that if elected he would make it a point to apply for government grants and continue to compete in programs where funding will be available to the state so investments could be made. He specifically wanted to invest in the expansion of high quality childhood education, hiring more teachers, reducing the class size and conserving energy use.
Holleman, a product of the public school system alongside his wife and children want fellow South Carolinians to know that he loves the system and plans to fight for it if elected. “I owe everything to the public education system,” said Holleman.
“I understand the things that need to happen in the S.C. public school system and I am willing to fix them,” said Holleman. “But in order for public schools to really succeed parent involvement must be increased.
For more information on the platform of Frank Holleman and the complete listing of his initiatives if elected visit his website here.
