The governor spent a little more than an hour at James Island Charter High School, sitting in on several classes and listening to the concerns of teachers and administrators, before heading to Camden for the funeral of Democratic state Sen. Don Holland, who died Sunday from a heart-related ailment.

The school visit marked the end of an eight-city swing through the state in which Sanford started to roll out his priorities for the upcoming year.

Though details will not be official until the release of his budget later this year, the governor did say three issues would take priority: small-business concerns, government restructuring and school choice.

"Coming to this school has been on my list of things to do for some time now," Sanford said. "In setting up this school, they had to overcome a number of challenges. I think what they went through and were able to accomplish can serve as a test case for the rest of the state. And coming here was a deliberate step on our part to send a signal that this is one direction we plan to go."

A charter school is a public school governed by a board of parents, faculty and community members. James Island, home to 1,600 students, is one of 20 charter schools in South Carolina. It is the only public school in the state to convert to a charter school.

South Carolina's number of charter schools is relatively low. North Carolina has 90. Arizona has about 400.

Sanford has been a vocal supporter of school choice. While campaigning, he talked of increasing choices for parents and students, including home schooling, charter schools and vouchers to help offset the cost of private schools.

He said Wednesday that he would like to see more charter schools. But he said for that to happen, the system needs to change. He didn't discuss vouchers or home schooling during Wednesday's visit.

The only authority for chartering a high school in South Carolina rests with the local school district, which some say leads to conflict. In many other states, charter schools have other outlets for authorization, such as a state committee, and local board approval is not required.

"I think it is important that, like other states, we have multiple authorizers," Sanford said.

Wednesday's visit comes on the heels of headlines made by another of Sanford's priorities -- government restructuring.

Last week, the governor's Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance completed its review of state agencies and delivered a 200-page report that called for comprehensive changes in state government.

While the report, which projected annual cost savings of about $300 million, held many findings, perhaps the most controversial were its recommendations that the state superintendent of education and adjutant general become appointed positions rather than elected ones.

The report also suggested eliminating the secretary of state position and having the Revenue Department assume its duties.

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