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Article published Apr 24, 2003
Sanford plan would mean more local control for school spending

JENNIFER HOLLAND
Associated Press

COLUMBIA -- Education leaders are encouraged by Gov. Mark Sanford's proposal to give school districts more control in how to spend state dollars, but they say it still doesn't address the problem of shrinking budgets.
"Flexibility is good, but you cannot generate extra dollars by just making an inadequate amount of money flexible," said Robert Scarborough, executive director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Sanford announced his plan to restructure education funding Wednesday.
He has gathered nearly 60 sponsors for a House bill that would consolidate dozens of spending sources into six categories.
Under the bill, districts would be given money for:
• Quality teaching, which would cover salaries, benefits, bonuses, teacher supply stipends.
• Instruction for programs such as gifted and talented, reading, math and science, and early childhood development.
• Technical assistance for low performing school districts promised in the Education Accountability Act, such as teacher specialists and homework centers.
• Operations, infrastructure and safety, which would cover such costs as school bus driver salaries, school safety officers, and school construction and maintenance.
• Work force education to fund adult programs such as family literacy and career and technology education equipment.
• Special needs to cover services for children with disabilities.
Scarborough says districts like the idea to direct funds in the way the local community wants, but it also "sets the stage for everyone to expect their program to be funded."
Legislators are trying to figure out how best to fund education in one of the tightest budget years in recent memory.
Educators say they need about $2,200 a year per student from the state, but House budget writers have allocated only $1,643 per pupil for next school year.
The bill, called Streamlined Management and Accountable Resources for Teaching, or SMART Funding, would not give schools more money, but Sanford says it frees up existing funds so districts can cover expenses as they wish.
"Reforming the way we fund education in South Carolina is key regardless of the budget situation you find yourself in," Sanford said. "When you look at the budget crisis we're currently facing, though, I believe it's absolutely essential."
The districts could transfer 20 percent of the funds between the six categories, according to the bill, and could carry forward all unspent funds to be used in the next year.
The Department of Education also would be expected to create an accounting network with the districts to follow the money.
There are concerns of tracking how the money is spent, said Rep. Bob Walker, R-Landrum, but "accountability is key to the whole thing."
Districts and schools already are graded each year based on student performance, he said.
It's frustrating for schools to be held accountable, despite a lack of resources, said Scott Price, spokesman for the state School Boards Association.
The bill "doesn't address the crisis that we're in," he said.
Also, educators are concerned about block funding like this bill because it could be another means to reduce funding, Price said.
"That's why it's been eyed with suspicion," he said.
State Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum wants to explore how to give districts more control over their spending, said her spokesman Jim Foster.

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