Zais has a "calling" for education

Mick Zais, the Republican candidate for South Carolina state superintendent of education greeted about 30 area residents at Anna's Arbor last week to discuss his “calling” and his personal goal to make public schools better with multiple alternatives.
Zais, who served 10 years as president of Newberry College until this past July, is also a former faculty member of West Point Academy. He served 31 years active service in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and ranger before he retired at the rank of brigadier general.
“The superintendent of education position is a culmination of a life of things I know I do well,” Zais said. “It's a way to serve and make a contribution. It's a calling!”
Zais says he is uniquely qualified for this position.
“I've been a teacher and run a school, so I know what it's like,” Zais said. “I've got a successful history of leadership. I know how to lead large, complex organizations.”
Local residents who attended Thursday's educational forum were a varied group with varied interests.
Richard and Kathleen Vork are Richburg residents and parents of two Lewisville Elementary School students. Richard Vork says he attended the candidate's forum to find out what Zais would “bring to the table,” if elected as state superintendent.
Vork believes the public school system is flawed with problems of nepotism and administrator longevity, he said.
“School leaders are falling through the cracks at the local level,” Richard Vork said.
Avery Wilks, 17, Zach Roberts, 16 and Justin McManus, 17, are members of Teen Republicans of Chester. They were interested to learn what Zais' decisions as state superintendent, if elected, would mean for them and future generations.
“A lot of young people today don't understand the importance of these decisions,” Roberts said. “They don't understand the impact that voting has on their lives.”
Roberta Wood, a teacher at Great Falls Elementary School, agreed.
“It doesn't matter about the (political) party, whether you're a Republican or a Democrat,” Wood said. “We need to be more informed voters because there's nothing more important than education.”
Wood was particularly interested in Zais' views about school funding and teacher furloughs.
“Educators need to know where things stand,” Wood said. “We need to know if money is going to be cut or if we're going to be furloughed so we can plan.”
Zais stressed that his ultimate goal as state superintendent is to make public schools better with choices for parents that include public charter schools, alternative schools and additional year-round schools.
“We've got some of the best schools in the nation and we've got some of the most troubled schools,” Zais said.
Zais, who grew up in a military family, attended 10 public schools during his 12 years of school attendance, he said.
“I felt like I got a good education,” Zais said. “We had teachers who knew their material and loved their kids.”
Zais' children also attended public schools, he said. He is assured that South Carolina public schools can be improved and assures state tax payers that they will get a positive return on their investment in  public school education.
“Every child is special and every child is different,” Zais said. “Different children have different needs.  and we need to provide multiple alternatives to education.”
cutline: Mick Zais meets with Richard and Kathleen Vork at a state superintendent of education candidate's forum held Thursday at Anna's Arbor.
cutline: Zais talks with Avery Wilks, Zach Roberts and Justin McManus, all members of Teen Republicans of Chester.

Denyse Middleton

Mick Zais talks with Avery Wilks, Zach Roberts and Justin McManus, all members of Teen Republicans of Chester.

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