A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-13-20, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE POSSESSION OF A DOCTORAL DEGREE MAY NOT BE REQUIRED AMONG THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE OR CERTIFICATION AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-3-10, RELATING TO QUALIFICATIONS OF the STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION, SO AS TO REVISE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS TO INCLUDE A MINIMUM OF A BACHELOR'S DEGREE INSTEAD OF A MASTER'S DEGREE.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 59-13-20 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 59-13-20.  (A) The person appointed as administrative officer to the board of education and the person appointed superintendent of any school district shall meet the qualifications required and possess the superintendent certificate issued by the State Board of Education.

    (B) The board of education of any county and the board of trustees of any school district, however, may impose any additional qualifications which it may deem proper.  This section shall not affect any person presently serving as county or district superintendent of education.

    (C) Possession of a doctoral degree may not be required as a statewide or district-level qualification for a person to qualify for:

       (1) service as a school district superintendent; or

       (2) certification as a school district superintendent by the State Department of Education.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 59-3-10(B) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    (B) The Superintendent of Education must possess:

       (1) the minimum of a master'sbachelor's degree and substantive and broad-based experience in the field of public education including, but not limited to, service as a classroom teacher, principal, other school or school district administrator, school district superintendent, or other education policy making body at either the state or local level or any combination of them; or

       (2) the minimum of a master'sbachelor's degree and substantive and broad-based experience in operational and financial management in any field of expertise including, but not limited to, finance, economics, accounting, law, or business.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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