Bill would give military a voice on state Education Board

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The military would get a voice on the state Education Board under a bill given second reading in the House on Tuesday.

The measure would ask the governor to appoint a military representative to the board as a nonvoting member.

Military parents want to know "what their child needs to be prepared for when they come to South Carolina," said Rep. Bob Walker, R-Landrum.

A military board member would help draw attention to challenges facing students whose families are often on the move, said Sally Patterson, school liaison officer at Fort Jackson, the Army's largest basic training base.

Many students have questions about standardized tests, transferring credits and graduation requirements, Patterson said.

The current 17-member Education Board is a mix of mostly business leaders and educators from across the state.

The Education Department is open to the idea, spokesman Jim Foster said.