FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Drew Johnson, Chief Communications Officer
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Speaker Murrell Smith Awarded the 2022 Kids First “Hall of Fame” Charter Champion Award
COLUMBIA, S.C. (SEPTEMBER 27, 2022) –
South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD) Superintendent, Chris Neeley and The Charter Institute at Erskine Superintendent, Cameron Runyan announced today that South Carolina House of Representatives Speaker, Murrell Smith is the 2022 Kid’s First “Hall of Fame” Charter Champion award recipient.
“Speaker Murrell Smith has been one of our most prominent advocates in the South Carolina General Assembly. His support for empowering parents to make the right educational choices for their children is as strong today as when he was first elected more than twenty years ago. A true champion of school choice, he has been a leading voice in expanding Charter Schools in the State of South Carolina.,” Superintendent Neeley stated.
Charter Schools are an essential part of the educational landscape, and Speaker Smith is a strong advocate for them. He saw a need for Charter Schools in his local community and facilitated the necessary conversations to create a new choice for parents in his hometown of Sumter. As a result of his vision, there is now a thriving Charter School, Liberty STEAM, in Sumter. Charter Schools provide families with an alternative to traditional public schools, and they are an essential option for parents who want their children to receive a quality education. Speaker Smith is committed to ensuring Charter Schools have the resources they need to succeed, and he will continue to fight for them in the Legislature.
“As the result of this leader’s hard work and unwavering commitment to student and parent choice, he led the effort in the House of Representatives that brought the new funding formula across the finish line. Now for the first time in our history, the funds follow the child.” Superintendent Runyan stated.
This conference was born three years ago out of a commitment by the Charter Institute at Erskine and the South Carolina Public Charter School District as a collaborative venture that honors and reflects our joint mission of helping every child reach their fullest potential. It demonstrates to our state’s leaders that we walk the talk when it comes to working together for our shared vision of providing every child a high-quality education.
About the South Carolina Public Charter School District: The South Carolina Public Charter School District authorizes, champions, and supports the creation and advancement of innovative K-12 public charter schools in South Carolina. We value all students’ unique talents and abilities and hold high expectations for social, emotional, and academic growth inclusively within the diverse population we serve. https://sccharter.org/
The Charter Institute at Erskine is the fastest-growing school district in South Carolina. Serving 24 schools and 24,000 students across the state, the Charter Institute at Erskine is committed to innovative, creative, high-quality methods of education. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.erskinecharters.org.
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