Education leader's race raises qualification questions in SC
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Republican think tank CEO who opposes critical race theory and supports giving children public money for private school scholarships appears to be a heavy favorite to be elected the new schools leader in conservative South Carolina this fall.
But Ellen Weaver faces one potentially serious obstacle: she lacks a master's degree, a new requirement to become Education Superintendent.
Weaver started on the advanced degree in April and vows to complete it before the November election. But it's unclear what might happen if she fails to do so, whether the issue could end up in court, and if that would open the door for a Democrat to win statewide office in South Carolina for the first time in 18 years.
After winning the GOP nomination Tuesday, Weaver seemed unworried.
“Tonight we saw that voters understand the real qualification for this job is leadership and a strong backbone," Weaver told reporters. "That said, I will fully fulfill all the legal obligations to hold this job. I will complete my master's degree in educational leadership in October ahead of the general election.”
In South Carolina, Republicans in the Legislature have sought to prevent transgender high school athletes from playing with the team of their gender identity and restrict local school districts from requiring masks. These issues have been pushed by conservatives across the country and are bringing more attention to the top administrators running public schools.
The current Republican Superintendent Molly Spearman — who endorsed Weaver's runoff opponent — has disagreed with members of her party. Weaver’s views align more with most of the state’s leading conservatives.
Weaver faces Democrat Lisa Ellis, a teacher and founder of education advocacy group SC for Ed who has an...