We must recognize the changing landscape of education and the increased demand for choice opportunities. Public education is the bedrock of South Carolina’s future. Dexter is committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars first and foremost provide every child with a high-quality public education. By prioritizing robust funding for our public classrooms, we can then find fair, transparent, and equitable ways to support educational choice without compromising the stability of our local schools.

Supporting public schools and respecting parental choice are not opposing goals. Every child deserves a path to success, regardless of their ZIP code, and families deserve the freedom to choose the educational path that best fits their child. By advocating for a funding model that protects the integrity of public education funds while identifying innovative, equitable pathways to support parental choice, Dexter will ensure that all schools receiving public support are held to the same high standards of accountability.

Dexter will:

• Support Teachers & Staff: Improve pay, professional development, and mental‑health supports to keep great educators in the classroom and attract new talent to the profession.

• Expand Early Learning Access: Invest in early childhood programs that prepare students for long‑term success and reduce achievement gaps before they begin.

• Increase Accountability Across All Schools: Ensure every school receiving public dollars—traditional or choice‑based—meets clear standards for academic performance, transparency, and student safety.

• Modernize Career & Technical Education: Partner with local industries to expand workforce‑ready programs that prepare students for high‑demand jobs right here in the Upstate.

• Strengthen School‑Community Partnerships: Collaborate with families, nonprofits, and local businesses to support student success inside and outside the classroom.

• Strengthen Public Schools: Increase support for classroom resources, teacher retention, and modern learning environments so every child—regardless of ZIP code—has access to a high‑quality education.

• Resource Equity: Guarantee that "choice" does not result in the "sorting" of students, but rather provides specialized opportunities that complement a strong public foundation.