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Ray may jump into education race
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He leads Spartanburg School District 3 as superintendent, but many educators around the state think that Jim Ray should consider leading the state as superintendent.
Ray said he has been approached by 50 of the state's 85 district superintendents as well as the heads of other educational organizations to consider running in 2006.
Current state superintendent Inez Tenenbaum announced in late August that she would not seek re-election.
The frontrunner in the race at this point is Spartanburg Republican Karen Floyd, who announced her candidacy in April.
"I respect Jim Ray and his abilities and consider him a good friend," Floyd said. "I find him to be a good educator."
Floyd said she is "so focused on my campaign" that hasn't put much thought into other potential candidates, but instead on making
sure her message of educational reform is well-defined.
With 35 years experience in education, Ray has a polished resume and the voice for public education that the next state leader needs, according to Chester Floyd, superintendent of Berkley County Schools and president of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
"There's no question in my mind he has the intellect, passion for children, and he has the knowledge base of what goes on with the expectations and functions of the state," Chester Floyd said. "I think everyone would be delighted if Jim Ray would in fact be willing to serve as state superintendent of education."
Lynn Batten, superintendent of Spartanburg School District 7, said he'd like to see someone with an extensive knowledge and experience in education to fill the position.
"Jim has a real vision because he wants all kids to succeed," Batten said.
Ray has lead District 3 for total of eight years and worked as Tenenbaum's deputy superintendent during her first year in office in 1999.
"Jim Ray is an extraordinary person and outstanding educator," Tenenbaum said. "He knows this agency in and out."
While she said she is "not getting involved in endorsing any candidates," she encourages Ray "to think about it.
"He would be an excellent candidate," said Tenenbaum, also noting that Frank Holleman would also be a good candidate.
Holleman was a former education adviser to Dick Riley as governor and U.S. secretary of education.
Other names that have been popped up as potential candidate are Bob Staton, chairman of the state's Education Oversight Committee and Cecil Taliaferro, former vice president of Allen University.
"I'm seriously considering running for state superintendent," said Taliaferro, a Democrat. "Between now and March, I will make the actual decision."
Ray said he has "no burning desire to run for any public office," but he did agree to consider running.
"The single-most reason I'd do it is if I looked up and I did not see a candidate in this race whom I believe would be an advocate for all children," he said. "I like my job and my district and I really love Spartanburg."
District 3 has made great strides under his leadership, according to board chairman Eddie Dearybury.
"I'd hate to lose him because he is such an asset to our district and Spartanburg County," Dearybury said. "On the other hand, he's been such a visionary that I really think he could take the education department and put it on the level it needs to be."
Ray said he has never been a member of the Republican nor the Democratic Party, and if he were to run, he is not yet ready to say under which ticket. He plans to make an official decision by the end of this month.
Ashlei N. Stevens can be reached at 562-7425 or ashlei.stevens@shj.com.
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