Legislative Update

SC House finalizes budget
The House gave key approval Wednesday to its proposed $7 billion spending plan for 2008-09. There were no significant financial changes to the budget for K-12 public education as previously approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. There were a couple proviso amendments of interest.

Amendment 152 as proposed by Rep. Michael Thompson (Anderson) and adopted by the House on a voice vote condenses the Annual School and District Report Cards to a two page executive summary to include relevant school and district contact information, school and district ratings to include longitudinal history, similar schools information, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) information, and NAEP information. All other required report card information must be made available to parents and the community by posting it on the school and district's web site, displaying an enlarged version in a prominent location in the school and district buildings, and upon request, must be made available in print to parents and community members. SCSBA supported this amendment.

Amendment 116 as proposed by Rep. Thad Viers (Horry) was tabled by a vote of 70-39. The amendment directed that no public funds, including state, local, or federal funds be used to pay a school district's dues to the South Carolina School Boards Association. SCSBA opposed this amendment and supported a “yes” vote on the tabling motion.

The following 70 representatives voted “yes” to table the amendment (click on name to send email):
 Carl Gullick (York) ; Herb Kirsh (York) ; Dennis Moss (Cherokee, Chester, York)
The following 39 representatives voted “no” to table the amendment (click on name to send email):
 Greg Delleney (Chester, York) ; Mick Mulvaney (Lancaster, York) ; Gary Simrill (York)
SCSBA will follow-up with further budget amendment details.
Scott T. Price
SCSBA General Counsel