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Lobby Day 2024 Information

Welcome to The SCEA Lobby Day on February 28, 2024! Thank you for joining us and using your voice to advocate for public education in South Carolina.

This page contains helpful links and information to guide you through conversations with elected officials. Start by using the tool below to look up your state Senator and Representative.

Find your legislators

Parking

We recommend parking in the Lady Street Garage (1110 Lady St, Columbia, SC 29201) or at any of the metered spots around the statehouse. (Note: There are additional parking lots, but they will cost more than the Lady Street Garage.)

Schedule

We will begin the day in Room 321 of the Blatt Building.

  • 8:30 am: Registration and networking, outside Blatt Room 321
  • 9:00 am: Head inside Blatt 321
  • 9:00-9:10 am: Welcome from President Sherry East, Interim Executive Director Dominic Padilla, Lobbyist John Brisini
  • 9:15-9:20 am: Rep. Ivory Thigpen speaks
  • 9:20-9:35 am: Sen. Mike Fanning speaks
  • 9:35-9:50 am: Brief overview by John Brisini
  • 9:50 am: Walk to Gressette Building for Senate Education Committee Meeting (you can access the meeting agenda here)
  • 10:00-11:00 am: Senate Education Committee Meeting
  • 11:00 am-12:00 pm: Conversations with House members
  • 12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch on the state house steps (provided)
  • 1:00-2:00 pm: Conversations with Senate members
  • 2:00-2:30 pm: Debrief (location TBD)

Helpful Tips for Lobbying Your Legislators 

Let them know that you’re a constituent. 
Lawmakers are more likely to listen to you if they know you can vote for or against them. Start your conversation by thanking them for their work and letting them know you’re a constituent. 

Share a personal story.  
Personal stories are one of the most powerful tools in your communication toolbox. Regardless of which issue you’re discussing, try to include a personal story about how legislation has impacted you/would impact you if it was passed. 

Keep your conversations focused on 1-2 primary issues. 
While there are many important issues to discuss with elected officials, it is best to stick to one or two main issues in your conversations. You don’t want to overwhelm them with information, so choosing 1-2 main issues will allow you to have stronger and more productive discussions with lawmakers. 

You are welcome to use the frame below for your conversation, if you find it helpful:

“Hi. I’m [YOUR NAME]. I’m a [YOUR ROLE] in [YOUR DISTRICT]. 

Tell a brief story or anecdote about your students, your school, and why you do what you do (belief in opportunity for all students, joy in helping students succeed, etc.— the key is to keep it about students and their success).  

Then, share your concern about an issue or bill and why you believe it is either beneficial or harmful.  

Share how it can impact your students and you. 

Ask your lawmaker to act on this important issue (ex: 'Will you sponsor legislation on this issue?' or 'Please oppose/support [BILL NUMBER]').” 

Not sure what to discuss?

Unsure of what to discuss with your elected officials? We have provided links to issues and legislation that The SCEA is tracking. You can use any of these issues as a starting point for your conversations with lawmakers!
Picture shows a well-decorated history classroom in SC. There is a blank cut-out where an educator should be standing. The text reads "There is no school without staff. Tell your legislators to fund raises for ALL."

Pay and Benefits

- Teacher salaries should be increased at least to the national average. - The state should provide incentives for teachers to remain in hard-to-staff regions, such as student loan forgiveness, home payment assistance, or state-funded teacher residency programs. - Provide additional benefits already offered to other state employees, such as paid parental leave. - Maintain the current defined benefit retirement plan that is offered to teachers.
We all deserve fair pay. Learn more Relevant legislation
school voucher protest

Private School Vouchers & School Funding

- Vouchers will deepen disparity between wealthy districts and poorer districts; eliminate transparency in how tax dollars are spent; and may put Title I funding at risk. - We should not send public money to private institutions when our public schools haven't been fully funded in 15 years - Include a personal story about how vouchers would impact your students or your school (if you have one)
What are vouchers? Learn more. Relevant legislation
An image of antiquated and sexist teacher contract

Contracts

- Teachers should have a later acceptance date for contracts; the current acceptance date of May 10 requires many teachers to accept before they know what staffing will be like at their school the next year. - Benefits and compensation, as well as who has authority to change benefits and compensation (district vs. state), should be clearly laid out in the contract. - Increase unencumbered time for educators.
Contracts should protect your rights. Learn more. Relevant legislation
universal school meals

Universal School Meals

Research has shown that providing students with free school meals has many benefits, such as improved student attendance and achievement; creating healthy habits; providing children with access to nutritious meals, which can help reduce the chance of chronic illness later in life; and reducing healthcare costs. According to Feeding America, over 150,000 children go hungry in South Carolina each day.
Learn more about the proposed bill Take action to support this bill Learn more about how universal school meals benefit students
Children hold a Pride flag

Censorship & Inclusive Schools

No matter our color, background, or zip code, we want our kids to have an education that imparts honesty about who we are, integrity in how we treat others, and courage to do what’s right. But certain politicians are using the dog whistle strategy of distraction and division – trying to dictate what teachers say and block kids from learning our shared stories of confronting injustice to build a more perfect union while attacking LGBTQ+ people and children.
Learn more about censorship of school curricula. Learn more about standing for LGBTQ+ students & school staff. Relevant Legislation

Aspiring Educators & the Educator Pipeline

Ensuring that students in every community have caring, committed, profession-ready educators means supporting Aspiring Educators. - Not everyone can finance their student teaching experience themselves. Aspiring educators deserve pathways to the classroom that are equitable and adequately prepare them for classroom realities. We believe in fair compensation for student teachers.
Aspiring Educators deserve compensation & respect. Learn more. Relevant Legislation Sign the petition for paid practicums!
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