ENID — Shawn Hime stressed his experience Tuesday during a luncheon supporting his campaign to become Oklahoma state superintendent of education.

Hime, superintendent of Enid Public Schools, mentioned changes that have come to EPS in the two years he has been superintendent. The luncheon attracted about 40 people at Continental Tower North ballroom.

“In Enid, we’ve done some great things with our bond issue, with public/private partnerships, but the most important thing we’ve done with our schools is what we did in year one,” said Hime, referring to high school schedule changes and grade configuration changes that took place in his first year in Enid. “The most important thing is what happens in the classroom.”

In his first year, EPS dropped block scheduling at Enid High School and  changed from a junior high system to a middle school system. This year, Enid voters approved a $99.5 million bond issue to build two new elementary schools and make renovations at all other school sites.

One change at the state level Hime said he favors is more local control for schools.

“I think it’s important that the state government stay out of as many local decisions as possible,” he said. “The state government’s role in education is in the framework and accountability.”

Hime also said he believes excellence should be rewarded, and there should be incentive pay for groups of teachers who excel. The incentive pay should go to groups, he said, so teachers aren’t competing against each other but rather sharing ideas.

Even though he does not believe teachers should compete against one another, Hime said he believes teachers who are not succeeding should not continue to teach.

“The most important thing in educating a child is a good teacher,” he said. “If they are not, we have to find a way to remove them.”

Hime also offered to take questions from those in attendance.

When asked about his stance on charter schools, Hime said, “I think competition is a good thing.”

Hime said he is not bothered by charter schools.

“I think they probably have a place,” he said. “If Enid could have charter schools I’m not sure we wouldn’t go name two of our elementary schools charter schools tomorrow for the deregulation.”

Hime said more important than charter schools is looking at and considering which current regulations are hindering public education.

While Hime did not take a strong stance on charter schools, he said he is against school vouchers because there is no accountability.

Hime also was asked about his position on the state’s current testing mandates.

“We all know from school that you have to have assessments,” he said. “For the teachers to know your knowledge level, you have to have assessments.”

Hime said Oklahoma’s problem is the current manner in which the students are assessed makes it difficult to compare the knowledge level of Oklahoma students with students from other states.

“That’s why we have state testing, to get a picture of where we are,” he said. “Oklahoma tests are not comparable to other states.”

School consolidation is a concern in Oklahoma, and Hime addressed his thoughts on the issue.

“That, too, should be a local decision,” he said.

Hime said some schools that choose not to consolidate should choose to collaborate with other schools to provide more educational options for students.

“The thing that breaks my heart more than anything is when I see a student who is valedictorian from a school and they made a 14 on the ACT,” he said. He said schools that collaborate can provide more services and class options for students and bring more opportunities for learning.

During the luncheon Hime was asked how his campaign was faring financially.

“I did get started a little late,” he said. “We had about 50 bond issue meetings in the fall and winter, and I thought it was important to complete that. My opponent is able to self-fund. I don’t have $150,000 for my campaign. I don’t even have $50,000, and I promised my wife we wouldn’t go into debt.”

Hime said it is hard to raise money for a campaign for an education office because donors generally donate to campaigns for offices that more closely align with their professions, but he believes education aligns with all professions.

“The way to economic development is with a more educated work force,” Hime said. “We have to improve education to improve our economy.”

Hime asked those in attendance to help him through word-of-mouth.

“I need you to share information about me with everybody you know,” he said. “What we need on July 27 is an educated voter.”

Hime began his address by giving some background information. He told the group he has two brothers, one also is a superintendent and one is a welder. The career paths of his brothers illustrates his belief students need to be given options to help them go into careers that fit their talents.

“I really believe we have to have lots of avenues to maximize children’s po-tential,” he said. “(The brother who is a welder) made more money last year than the two superintendents put together, so there’s a lot to be said for skilled labor.”

The luncheon was hosted by Paul and Joan Allen, Chad and Lisa Dillingham, Troy and Martie Oyler Enmeier, Harold and Sue Ann Hamm, Geoff and Molly Helm, Lew and Susie Meibergen and Lew and Myra Ward.

Molly Helm, EPS school board member and Autry Technology Center director of communications and marketing, introduced Hime.

“We need a state superintendent who is not afraid to take on the status quo,” she said.

Helm said Hime is willing to change what has been the status quo in Oklahoma’s education system.

“While he has been here, he’s championed a lot of change,” she said.

She also mentioned Hime’s past experience in teaching, finance and the state department of education. Hime has held positions as teacher, coach, assistant principal, assistant superintendent, director of student assessment for Oklahoma public schools and is the former assistant state superintendent.

“Shawn will bring valuable experience to the office of state superintendent,” Helm said.

Helm said as an Oklahoman, an Enid resident and a parent, she supports Hime for state superintendent.

Other candidates include Democratic state Sen. Susan Paddack; Democrat Randall Gorman, a high school teacher from Achille; and Janet Barresi, an Edmond Repub-lican. Hime is running as a Republican.