Most of his time was devoted to listening carefully to citizens from every part of the state, as they shared their opinions on such topics as school funding, school safety, quality of teaching, and adequacy of school facilities. The message in every town and at every event was clear — the citizens expect good teaching in a safe environment and within state-of-the-art buildings.

Yesterday’s primary results allowed the voters to choose their nominee and Team Tom has every right to be proud of the showing and the results. At a Primary Watch party held at Sporting News Grill in West Columbia, Tom Thompson thanked his supporters for their dedicated work and efforts to ensure that the state’s citizen’s voices would be heard. He thanked the voters for coming out and placing their trust in him. He added his congratulatory remarks and best wishes to Mr. Holleman, his family, and his team.

Together, both campaigns demonstrated a refreshing sense of optimism – upbeat, positive, and focused on the need to bring people together to address our challenges and protect our public schools from those doing what they can to tear them down. “Beginning tonight, our eyes are on November and making sure that a Democrat remains in the superintendent’s office in January,” Thompson shared.

Thompson plans to carry on his work to address the issues that challenge our state, particularly in areas that continue to receive what the citizens referred to as lip service, saying that “this has been my life’s calling and I will do whatever I can to help improve the quality of education in South Carolina….and in the words that I have repeated often over the course of the three month campaign, let’s get it done!“

Over the past several weeks, while one party has captured the news because of its nasty antics, hidden between the lines has been the positive, cordial, and well-mannered campaign engaged by the gentlemen running in the statewide Democratic races for these offices. Each of the gubernatorial candidates focused on his experience and issues confronting our state, sharing passionately why he should be elected.

The same is true for the two Democratic nominees for state superintendent of education. Both candidates stressed that the issues confronting our state can be addressed by strengthening collaborative efforts, bringing together the various stakeholders and tackling the issues head on. Both have emphasized their experience in the education arena and both have been emphatic when it comes to rejecting the notion of vouchers or tax credits to support non-public schools. Both, Tom Thompson and Frank Holleman are leaders.

Tom Thompson set his eye on becoming the state superintendent when he learned that Jim Rex would not seek a second term. Tom had risen through the ranks as an educator – from a high school mathematics teacher to the dean of graduate studies at South Carolina State University. His focus for many years was school leadership, so it made sense that the next step was to take his experience to the next level. He strongly believes an educator should lead the state’s education system.

He was reminded of when he chose to become a teacher and many of his family members laughed, but not his mom. She reminded him that if he were to become a teacher, to be a good one. The story resonates to this day. Growing up the seventh son of eleven children makes a person understand teamwork, partnerships, and getting things done despite challenges or barriers.

Tom has worked hard to be where he is today, being the first in his family to attend college – and then to go on and earn three degrees from the University of Illinois. His impressive resume shouts out the words “educational leadership” and “dedicated service.”

His decision to run was not because of the urging of politicians or party leaders, but from friends and colleagues who he has worked with over the years. “He’s a leader, a gentleman, and simply put, a class act,” shared a university administrator.

Those who know him will say that his name is synonymous with school leadership – a systems thinker who has real school experience, and impeccable management skills.

These are the reasons he chose to run. They also serve as great reasons why South Carolina voters should vote for him in today’s primary. Let’s bring the pride back.

Let’s get it done!

I’ve experienced our state’s educational system from the inside out and—more than anyone—I recognize the challenges we face. That’s why I promise to work with other elected officials, educators, parents and students—in a true spirit of cooperation—to create the change we all seek.

Over the last several months, I have shared my platform and my plans to address the issues and challenges that we face. I sought input from many of our citizens from every part of the state, as they shared their opinions on such topics as school funding, school safety, quality of teaching, and adequacy of school facilities. The message in every town and at every event was clear — our citizens want good teaching in a safe environment and state-of-the-art buildings. One even added, “Clean buildings would be nice, though.”

By voting tomorrow, we can all take our first steps to march forward to rehabilitate South Carolina’s educational system and ensure a quality education for every child, every day. Each of our children deserves the best – let’s make it happen – let’s get it done!

Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your vote in tomorrow’s primary.

Sincerely,
Tom

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This weekend’s ceremonies brought together many alumni and supporters of the school and included the unveiling of two markers to commemorate the historic milestone.

Tom Thompson placed his campaign on pause to focus on the contributions and significance of the school’s achievements, sharing that “this week’s events serve as a reminder of where we have been, where we are, and where we can be. Schools connect us as a people, bringing us together to share experiences and memories.“

Over the past week, Tom traveled from Bennettsville to Hardeeville to listen to the concerns of community members as part of his Listening Tour. During his visits he heard many speak of their frustrations regarding politics and the negative press brought to our state.

“We are fed up with the politicians who want us to vote for them because of their ties to other politicians. We are tired of those with the big bucks and the donor connections being the ones who end up representing the rest of us, thinking that they understand our concerns. That’s why you are my candidate of choice for state superintendent of education – Tom, you truly understand our concerns, our needs, and our hopes for our public schools,” said Pat Jones of Bamberg County.

With the primary season coming to an end, Tom reminded citizens that they are the ones who make a difference. Just as the students of Burke High School made a difference upon graduating, the voters will be the ones who will make the difference with their ballots. The decision now rests with the voters.

Change happens when leaders take the necessary steps to strengthen partnerships with our businesses and communities. Change happens when we create a broad-based support from parents, school communities, institutions of higher education, policymakers, business and industry, foundations, and other segments of the community.

I know the system, inside and out, at all levels K-16, even K-20. In addition, I know the people in the system, those who serve as teachers, principals, district leaders, including our superintendents. That makes me more able to build the coalitions needed to bring about significant change in the system, targeting their attention and focus on student achievement and the factors that contribute to their success.

We know that many of the issues that confront our schools exist far before some of our students ever arrive on the doorsteps of a school. To address these issues, we must all take responsibility and work together.

By enhancing these partnerships, we will be able to help districts and schools leverage funds at the local level, as well as to secure the necessary support at the state-level. These collaborative strategies are also needed to compete for federal funds.

As I have shared repeatedly over the past several months, my platform has revolved around student achievement and to make that happen, several components need to be in place. It is time for a change – one where a strong commitment to improving the academic success of every student is built and sustained. My focus has never wavered. We will create a stable fiscal base for schools, provide all children a safe and secure environment, support terrific teaching, aggressively engage our schools and communities in stronger partnerships (including increased parental involvement), and target resources to replace out-dated facilities.

Yes, it is about change. Now, let’s get it done. It begins with your support and your vote on June 8th.

The teachers of Beaufort County Public Schools recently asked candidates about their ideas and priorities regarding public education and a brief response would be that it’s time for a change.

It’s time that we change the state constitution to promise every child in this state a high quality education.

It’s time that we promise that all students will graduate from high school prepared for success in the workforce.

It’s time that we ensure that each and every child in this state is taught by a highly qualified, highly effective teacher, whose pay is at the very least competitive to that in our neighboring states.

It’s time that we bring back the pride, trust and excitement for public education that we once had before we came under attack by choice proponents who want to use public tax dollars to pay for private education; before high stakes testing that exhausts our children and eats away at their confidence; before issues of gangs and bullying came into prominence in our schools; and before the economic downturn eroded our already-skimpy resources.

School reform is systemic – where all the pieces must work together to create and sustain meaningful change. My platform has revolved around student achievement and to make that happen, several components need to be in place. We will need to create a stable fiscal base for schools, provide all children a safe and secure environment, support terrific teaching, aggressively engage our schools and communities in stronger partnerships, and target resources to replace out-dated facilities.

Our work on revitalizing public education and working through a coalition of stakeholders can also be a catalyst to help reinstate pride in our state. A strong public education system will spur economic development and job creation. The state superintendent of education must work closely with the governor and all agency heads to establish a unified plan of action to align all resources to address our state’s needs; and public education is the most critical piece of the puzzle. We can no longer have stand-alone governmental entities trying to do their part while being disconnected – public school reform is only going to happen through a strong collaborative effort.

To be continued tomorrow in Tom Thompson’s Campaign News

“While some praise the improved SAT scores, when we look at the data closely, we find the gap between subgroups of students has widened over the past several years.”

In 2006, the average score for African-American student was 421 in critical reading and dropped to 414 in 2009. During the same period, white students rose slightly from 512 to 514. In mathematics, African-American students scores dropped from an average score of 428 to 424 from 2006 to 2009, while white students went from 522 to 524 during the same period.

“There’s no way that these scores reflect improvement,” Thompson shared. “Let’s be honest, a 100-point difference in both critical reading and mathematics exists between groups of students and it must be aggressively addressed. By partnering with faith-based groups and business leaders, school leaders have found that tutorial programs have helped improve students’ scores. We need to be willing to roll up our sleeves and do something about it.”

Tom has his sleeves rolled up. Let’s get it done.

Peters began the Gentlemen’s Club in 1996, investing his energy in thirty middle schools males. The young men made their way out of the principal’s office and onto honor rolls. The GC offers young men an opportunity to strengthen their self-image, placing them on the road to success.

Several of our state’s schools have implemented the GC, including: Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, Aiken County; Whale Branch Middle School – Beaufort County; Sanders-Clyde Elementary/Middle School – Charleston; Irmo High School – Columbia; Dutch Fork High School, Irmo; and Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Orangeburg.

“We need to explore avenues to reach all students. All students want to belong and they want to succeed. Our jobs include finding that niche to engage each student,” Tom shared as he listened to a group of parents earlier today.

“In five years, our schools will look differently and provide learning opportunities using a wide array of strategies. Hands-on work opportunities in the community taught together by experts in the field, educators, and online venues will be the norm for many students,” Tom added. “Our challenge will be to help districts and schools in their efforts to keep up with the state’s workforce needs.”

Team Tom will be in Bennettsville and Dillon today with stops along I-95 throughout the week. Events will include opportunities for community members to share their thoughts as to what items must be on the change agenda for the next state superintendent of education. Dr. Thompson has been traveling the state sharing information regarding his rich education experience and his platform.

Please keep an eye on this page for more on this week’s Listening Tour and encourage family and friends to vote on June 8th.

After World War II, Decoration Day became Memorial Day and since 1971, the holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May.

Tom Thompson, candidate for state superintendent of education, is encouraging all South Carolinians to join in a moment of silence at 3:00 this afternoon to pay tribute to the many soldiers who fought for our freedom.