“Kelly is a teacher and has spent her career in the most critical area of education- the classroom.  This not only makes her a meaningful individual to the hundreds of students whom she has helped prepare for the future, but it also makes her uniquely qualified to be our next Superintendent of Education.”
Kenny Bingham
SC House Majority Leader

I have been on the front lines of education in South Carolina as a member of the State Board of Education for four years.  I served as Chairman of that body in 2008.  There are many good things happening to improve the quality of education in our state.  On the other hand, there is still much work to do.  This work will require strong leadership on a statewide level who understands what it going to take to deal with the difficult issues in some of most rural school districts while having the knowledge of what works in the classroom in some of our best schools.

I’m writing to you because South Carolina is now in a rare position where I believe true change can come to our educational system.  A new Superintendent of Education will be elected to guide our state to a bright future.  The person elected must have experience in the classroom, knowledge of the political spectrum, an understanding of the current education system and a have a track record of innovation in education to be a successful leader in education.  As a member of the State Board of Education, I have a unique perspective as to who can and will fit this job: Kelly Payne. 
 
Kelly has spent her career in the most critical area of education – in the classroom.  This has given her the view of what areas of our school system truly need to be addressed.  
 
Kelly is also a statewide leader for the safety of our children.  In 2006 Kelly teamed up with the National Safety Council to organize “Alive at 25,” a highly successful teen driver safety program designed to reduce teenage highway fatalities. Her program, the first to be organized in SC, is now in 19 high schools throughout the state. To date, over 15,000 SC teenagers have completed this program that is taught after school hours by local law enforcement officials.  Not only does she impact her own students, but also she has improved the state as a whole through the care she has for all of South Carolina’s children. 
 
Kelly Payne is the best candidate for Superintendent of Education; with her real experience South Carolina will finally see real solutions for education. 

Al Simpson
Member of the SC State Board of Education (2006-2010)
Lancaster, SC

I am pleased to announce my support for Kelly Payne in her race for the office of State Superintendent of Education.  I became aware of Kelly’s outstanding leadership qualities when she worked with law enforcement officials, the South Carolina National Safety Council, and Lexington/Richland School District Five to bring the “Alive at 25” safe driving program for teens to Dutch Fork High School.  Through her energy and leadership, the program has expanded to nineteen SC high schools and has brought safe driving education to over 15,000 students. Kelly does an excellent job in identifying a need, finding a solution, then coordinating resources to solve a problem, and we need people like her in our Department of Education.  During our work on “Alive at 25,” I saw Kelly’s excellent people skills and consensus building abilities. I also became aware of her passion about re-establishing a back-to-basics class room focus that we seem to have lost.  I think that Kelly Payne will make an excellent State Superintendent of Education! 

Jimmy Metts
Sheriff, Lexington County

I’m highly impressed with Kelly Payne for a number of reasons.  She’s a successful, energetic teacher who’s willing to step forward in these challenging times to serve as South Carolina’s next Superintendent of Education.   Kelly will do more than apply education theory in this leadership role; she’ll extend her own proven teaching techniques and ideas to classrooms throughout the state.

Her no-nonsense plans for strengthening South Carolina’s public education system are impressive.  She advocates a back-to-basics teaching approach, knowing that if a student is poorly equipped to succeed in life without learning to properly read, write, speak and do basic math, he will not be prepared to be successful at the next level. She understands that teaching all students these skills to create a solid foundation for them is good, plain common sense. As a parent and educator, Kelly Payne, sees first hand how parental and community involvement is a critical factor in ensuring successful learning communities.  I like that.

But I also admire Kelly’s understanding that our schools need to teach kids about basic civic virtues, about pride in their country, and about being willing to serve their country.  She realizes that society has changed a great deal in the past few decades.  If children haven’t been taught by their parents what it means to be an American, she believes that those children then ought to teach their parents what it means.  To better prepare children for that teaching assignment, she’ll require that our schools teach about America’s rich heritage and about the blessings available to all of us because of that rich heritage. I like that.

Without a properly educated work force, the country and state will continue to slide down the economic chain with job losses. We are losing out on the world stage due to our public education system,and SC is not in the top of the line-up.  Kelly will work with the Department of Commerce to identify skills that are needed to prepare our students for entry into the workforce. Kelly already works in a district that uses Personal Pathways to Success. It is a system that combines high academic standards with career exploration while giving students the guidance and experience they need to take full advantage of real opportunities in the South Carolina economy. I like that.

Kelly understands how very important it is for parents and teachers to work together to accomplish the tough task of teaching kids, and that administrators do all they can to free teachers to teach and to relieve teachers of any nonessential administrative burden.  I’m impressed by Kelly’s broad vision that she’s developed in the trenches.

I devoted my career to public service in the military.  Kelly has devoted her career to public service through public education.   I heartily endorse her in this pursuit.

James E. Livingston
Major General, US Marine Corps, Retired

I want to express to you how much of an honor it was for me to be able to speak to the class.  I also, want to commend the students for many questions about the military and the questions on and about politics.  You could tell they were not just speaking to speak.  Their questions were well thought out.  I get excited to see the next generation of local, state and world leaders preparing themselves now.  It is also, a testament to you the teacher that had the ability to sell a class like this to the administration, for them to step outside the normal teaching box and allow you to do it.  Then for you to do the job that you have done with them, I applaud you and think it is awesome.  I can not wait for you to become the next Superintendent of Education.  Your ideas will move us ahead of the educational curve.  Should you ever need another speaker on other subjects please let me know.  I would be happy to do it again. Thank you once again.

Grady Harmon
Member, Lexington District One School Board

I’ve known Ms. Payne for a number of years now both personally and professionally.  Over that time I’ve seen a number of things that have thoroughly impressed me that leads me to support her run for the state superintendent of education position.  Her Alive at 25 driving safety education for students has garnered national attention and has really made a difference in keeping students safe.   Her ability to manage the day to day running of her classroom and students, investing her personal time in activities and functions that enrich students lives and advocating for the needs of education show true leadership and managerial qualities.

Brian Bennett
State Law Enforcement Officer

Ms. Payne has led my children in many after AND before school activities.  She has worked with my oldest son in the Rotary Club.  She inspired him to want to be an active part of his community and not only being an active part but to aspire to leadership roles and I thank her for that.  I believe the trait that spoke loudly to them was the fact that she was living that and is living that herself.  She leads by example!

Dr.Sean and Mrs. Jillian Fuller
Lexington/Richland School District Five Parents

Informative, challenging, enthusiastic, and unique-these are some adjectives my two children use to describe their former teacher, Ms. Kelly Payne. She goes beyond the standard curriculum to broaden her students' educational journeys with each thought provoking lesson presented on current events, and from each guest speaker that addresses her classes.

Dr. David and Terri Koon
Dutch Fork High School Parents
Lexington/Richland School District Five

My business management experience of twenty-plus years has developed my eye to observe and learn from those who can produce results even in the most challenging of circumstances. As an educator, I can only imagine the challenges that you have had to overcome to produce the results you have achieved. Your belief in our children, a vision that is plain and a mission that you back with consistent actions indicates to me that you have what it takes to be an effective leader. It doesn't matter that we belong to opposite political parties. Leaders that take action and can create results for both the short-term and long term are essential as change becomes the constant in our everyday lives. I pray God's strength and guidance as you pursue what you believe to be your "calling".
Jackie Brown

I have known Kelly Payne for several years now. I first met her when my daughter was a student   in Ms. Payne’s Current Issues class. She encourages her students to be involved in community service, and my daughter became active in the Interact club at Dutch Fork High because of Ms. Payne. I watched my daughter get excited about participating in road clean-up projects and about helping with repairs to homes of those who were unable to afford the repairs. She was happy to do those things because of Ms. Payne’s enthusiasm for community service.

 
Sincerely,

Debra and Alan Ray
Irmo
Lexington/Richland School District Five

My dear friend, Kelly Payne, has started some VERY innovative classes for her students - "It Kids" and "Alive at 25". "It Kids" is to help young people in high school learn about good citizenship, politics, community service, current issues, good manners and how to present themselves in public. I don't often get behind political candidates but Kelly is one I am going to support - she has classroom experience and the trust and admiration of so many young people and their parents. She will address real issues that will bring real solutions for our public schools.

Gale Rigby Kennedy
Columbia, South Carolina

Why do we support Ms. Payne’s candidacy for South Carolina State Superintendent?

Ms Payne goes above and beyond the call of duty in making her lessons come to life. Our daughter has told us how much Ms. Payne has motivated her to be a better person, which touched us as parents. Kelly Payne is a hardworking woman. We believe she truly understands the needs of our students, and has her priorities straight. Kelly Payne isn’t out for political gain. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, please know that Kelly Payne will work hard for ALL students in South Carolina. She has common sense, a great work ethic, and a winning attitude. Please support Kelly Payne as Superintendent, and let’s join together with Ms Payne to make South Carolina’s schools we can ALL be proud of!

Rick and Jennifer VanMeter
Lexington/Richland School District Five parents
Irmo, SC

I can't say enough good things about Kelly. She took my daughter under her wing in 9th grade. My daughter graduated this year, and the impact Kelly had on her has been amazing. My daughter has a learning disability she has fought with on her own all through high school. She is amazing today and is driven to succeed because of Kelly.

Kathy Engelkens
Columbia, SC
Lexington/Richland School District Five Parent

Kelly Payne taught my son in 10th grade, a rough year for him.  Not only was she a great teacher, but a caring person.  Her enthusiasm for teaching and learning is evident, her grace earns her respect and her knowledge is immense.  Please join me in endorsing Kelly Payne for Secretary of Education.

Kimberly Anderson
Lexington/Richland School District Five

My friend Kelly Payne is running for Superintendent of Education.  I have known Kelly for quite a number of years.  During that time, she has shown to be an outstanding teacher, leader, mentor, comrade, confidant and FRIEND to her very students, the general student body and even the extended family of the students/faculty/community. On a more personal level, Kelly Payne helped my son find his way through a particularly harrowing experience brought on by peer pressure and a foolish, thoughtless decision…during his last semester of his senior year of high school. We could not ask for a better person to look out for our children’s education!

Most sincerely,

Jeannette Keith Dorman Pompi & Jefferson Keith Dorman (Dutch Fork High School, Class of 2008)
Irmo, SC
Lexington/Richland School District Five

Ms. Kelly Payne is an excellent candidate for Superintendent of Education. She has shown great dedication and leadership skills that have had a profound impact on my daughter Rachel and the Interact club.  It is amazing to see how these kids have grown in their knowledge and desire to make South Carolina a better state for education. Rachel has had many opportunities to meet business leaders and adults in the community through the Interact Club and the It Kids group, both of which are advised by Ms. Payne.

Tina Brown
Dutch Fork High School Parent
Lexington/Richland School District Five

Kelly, You are such an amazing person and inspiration to us all. From the minute I met you and saw the way you interacted with your students, I could tell that you truly have a passion for improving education in South Carolina and the future of our students. I am honored to have worked with you in District 5 during the Alive at 25 kick-off and proud to call you my friend. There is no better person for the position of State Superintendent of Education and I wish you all the best with your campaign. I know the future holds nothing but wonderful things for you and your children.
Lisa Dale