Mulvaney appointed to committee of Southern Legislative Conference

State Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-District 45, has been appointed by S.C. Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell to serve on the Education Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference.

The conference is an Atlanta-based association of state legislators charged with formulating new policy ideas to advance educational performance throughout the Southeast.

Chaired by Arkansas state Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, the committee serves as a point of origin for ideas on a wide range of education policy initiatives, ranging from improving academic achievement, retaining quality teachers, enhancing testing and accountability methods to ensuring safety and discipline in the classroom.

"Sharing ideas on education policy means we're expanding solutions that will ultimately benefit everybody's kids," Mulvaney said. "Our public schools have plenty of success stories that ought to be shared on the regional stage, just as there are bound to be ideas we can bring home from other states to help make our schools even better."

Mulvaney said education policy would be one focal point of his upcoming town hall meetings in Lancaster, Indian Land and Fort Mill. He plans to announce a complete meeting schedule soon. He wants local parents, teachers and education officials to participate in the forums and to send him their ideas.

"Teachers and parents know what works – and what doesn't – in their schools with their kids. I am hearing loud and clear, for example, that we need to give our parents and teachers better, more cost-effective testing tools," Mulvaney said. "But I am also curious as to what might be working in other states. If there is an opportunity to gain from the experience of others, that could be a great benefit to us."

To submit a suggestion to Mulvaney, e-mail him at mulvaneym@schouse.org. or call him at (803) 246-1001.