Article VI, Section 7 of the South Carolina Constitution states:
"There shall be elected by the qualified voters of the State a Secretary of State, an Attorney General, a Treasurer, a Superintendent of Education, Comptroller General, Commissioner of Agriculture, and an Adjutant General who shall hold their respective offices for a term of four years, coterminous with that of the Governor. The duties and compensation of such offices shall be prescribed by law and their compensation shall be neither increased nor diminished during the period for which they shall have been elected."
Article VI, Section 7 of the South Carolina Constitution establishes the qualifications of the office:
"No person may be popularly elected to and serve in any office in this State or its political subdivisions unless he possesses the qualifications of an elector, is not disqualified by age as prescribed in this Constitution, and has not been convicted of a felony under state or federal law or convicted of tampering with a voting machine, fraudulent registration or voting, bribery at elections, procuring or offering to procure votes by bribery, voting more than once at elections, impersonating a voter, or swearing falsely at elections/taking oath in another's name, or has not pleaded guilty or nolo contendere [no contest] to these offenses. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution, this prohibition does not apply to a person who has been pardoned under state or federal law or to a person who files for public office fifteen years or more after the completion date of service of the sentence, including probation and parole time, nor shall any person, serving in office prior to the ratification of this provision, be required to vacate the office to which he is elected. No person may be elected or appointed to office in this State for life or during good behavior, but the terms of all officers must be for some specified period except officers in the militia."
State law prescribes seven general duties of the superintendent:
- Serve as secretary and administrative officer to the State Board of Education.
- Supervise and manage all public school funds provided by the State and Federal Governments.
- Organize, staff and administer the State Department of Education, including all divisions and departments necessary to provide the maximum service to public education in the State.
- Keep the public informed as to the problems and needs of the public schools by maintaining contact with all school administrators and teachers, by holding public meetings, and by providing information to state media organizations.
- Print and distribute bulletins, manuals, and circulars necessary for the professional improvement of teachers, the cultivation of public sentiment for public education, and all forms necessary for the administration of the State Department of Education.
- Administer, through the State Department of Education, all policies and procedures adopted by the State Board of Education.
- Assume any other responsibilities and duties prescribed by law or assigned by the State Board of Education.
South Carolina has had eighteen State Superintendents of Education in the state's history. Please find information about each one by clicking the links below.
