SC Public Charter School District Kids First Podcast · SC Public Charter School District

Chris Neeley | South Carolina Public Charter School District

·21 min·2 clips

Chris Neely argues South Carolina should pay teachers $80,000 to attract the best talent nationwide.

This episode features host Kevin and Chris Neely, superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District, discussing innovative reforms for education. They focus on breaking away from traditional models to improve schools across the state. The conversation centers on practical, "out-of-the-box" ideas for change. Neely advocates for raising teacher pay to $80,000 annually to attract talent to South Carolina. He proposes performance-based bonuses, citing Liberty STEAM Charter School's model of paying up to 50% of base salary for performance. To address teacher shortages in rural areas, he suggests housing stipends or even building teacher dorms on school campuses. A major policy push is for the state legislature to pass Representative Shannon Erickson's open enrollment bill, allowing students to attend any public school regardless of zip code. Neely criticizes the state's centralized bus fleet, the only one of its kind in the nation, which excludes charter school students from state-funded transportation. He proposes alternatives like partnerships with van companies or using ride-share services like Uber and Lyft for older students. The "co-teacher" or "platoon" model, employing two teachers per classroom, is highlighted as an effective but costly strategy to improve instruction and include students with disabilities. Neely argues too much money is spent on non-classroom expenses, citing a district that spent $38 million on artificial turf fields. He is critical of standardized testing, arguing 50 years of high-stakes testing has not improved educational outcomes. The Success Academy charter network in New York City is presented as a successful model due to its high expectations, focus on basics, and project-based learning. A surprising claim is that offering housing stipends or campus dorms could solve teacher recruitment in rural South Carolina. The proposal to dismantle the statewide school bus fleet in favor of private-sector options is presented as a unique solution. The assertion that charter school students receive no state-funded transportation underscores a key equity argument. Neely's personal anecdote about his son having three first days of school in one year illustrates the practical challenges of school choice. The critique of testing focuses on its use for political purposes rather than individual student growth. The episode frames education reform as an economic development investment, not just a budgetary expense. The tone is conversational and advocacy-oriented, with both hosts enthusiastically exploring reform ideas. The style is educational but direct, aiming to persuade listeners about specific policy changes. This episode would appeal to parents, educators, and policymakers interested in school choice, charter schools, and concrete education policy proposals in South Carolina. Listeners seeking a critical debate on these reforms or a focus on traditional public school perspectives might find it less engaging.

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