Tenenbaum calls move political, says 'money has been a wise investment'

House Speaker David Wilkins has requested an audit of the state Department of Education from the state Legislative Audit Council.

Wilkins' request is the latest dust-up between state Republicans and Democratic Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, who is being talked about as a possible contender for a future governor or U.S. Senate race.

"We ought to always look at the efficiency of operations and see if we can do things better, particularly in tough budget times," said Wilkins, a Greenville Republican, adding he's concerned about reports that teachers might have to be laid off.

"I want to see what else can be done," Wilkins said. "This audit will determine what is the situation."

Tenenbaum said, "We have nothing to hide. We believe an audit will show the money has been a wise investment."

She added the request from the top Republican in the state House of Representatives has political overtones. "We've been trying to get more money, and they are trying to justify why they aren't giving us any."

Tenenbaum's department, with about 900 employees and an approximate $40 million budget, oversees the state public education system.

Her department does a multitude of tasks, including handling federal funds, operating state school buses and setting and implementing educational standards. About half of the department's 900 employees run the state school bus system.

The state public school system has 684,000 students and 1,121 schools in 85 school districts. Student test scores have improved in the five years Tenenbaum has been in office.

In recent weeks, the S.C. Policy Council - a conservative think tank that advocates tax cuts and limited government - has alleged that less than 50 percent of $6 billion in state and federal money reaches S.C. classrooms.

Tenenbaum says facts show that charge isn't true.

The S.C. Chamber of Commerce, which supports spending more money for education, says its statistics show in the last five years, the percentage of state money reaching S.C. classrooms has increased from 53 to 59 percent.

"As money for education has decreased in South Carolina, we haven't taken it away from the classroom," said chamber chief executive Hunter Howard Friday.

To find out the facts of the matter, Wilkins said, he has met recently with Tenenbaum and Ed McMullen, Policy Council president.

After hearing from both, Wilkins said, he decided to ask for a Legislative Audit Council audit.

"It's time to let an independent source come in," Wilkins said. "I'm not criticizing anyone."

Wilkins said he didn't know whether the massive tax cuts enacted by the Legislature in recent years - cuts that have thrown state government into a budget crisis - would be part of the audit.

"I certainly didn't put any restrictions on the audit," he said.

In the last two years, the budget crisis has forced the Legislature to slash some $350 million from public education, Tenenbaum said.

The audit council, a small state watchdog agency, issues audits containing written evaluations, spelling out strengths and weaknesses, of programs. Its findings are respected by both parties, but sometimes ignored.

The audit council gets requests for audits from the Legislature. Wilkins is such a high-ranking lawmaker that the council is all-but-certain to carry out his request. Any audit will take months to carry out.

Friday was Confederate Memorial Day, and state offices were closed. Neither Tenenbaum nor Wilkins had a copy of the letter Wilkins sent Thursday to the audit council.

However, both Wilkins and Tenenbaum said it contained requests to examine:

• The Education Department, generally

• Any duplicated services

• Travel and any catering

• Using federal money to replace state money

• Possible downsizing of the Education Department, if it can be done without firing teachers

• Scrutinizing all people who make $50,000 or more at the Department of Education.

Tenenbaum said she will gladly furnish any documents the audit council wants. Facts will show money is spent wisely, she said. For example, most employees making $50,000 have 26 years' experience and advanced degrees, she said.

She said in the last year, as speculation has increased she might be a candidate for higher office, she has expected to come under more scrutiny.

"For four years, I've had no criticism, and now I'm getting a comprehensive audit," she said, adding she is happy being education superintendent and has no plans to run for higher office.

Wilkins said, "This is in no way a witch hunt or pointing the finger at anyone. I hope it will result in recommendations that will have everyone do a better job."