School choice bill moves forward after hearing

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The new school cost her $14,000 annually in tuition, she said, plus another $1,400 in gas. She has to drive 69 miles one way to school and even quit her job to take him. But she told lawmakers Tuesday the sacrifice was worth it because of the As he now makes and his love for school.

Her story was one of dozens a legislative panel heard Tuesday before deciding to pass a controversial school choice bill that would grant tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools or educate them at home.

The proposal, supported by Gov. Mark Sanford, now moves to the full House Ways and Means Committee. The Greenville County School Board opposes the bill, charging it would "further erode state funding in public education" and does not provide adequate accountability.

More than 150 people packed a legislative room to listen to the first public hearing on the legislation, which Sanford said could reform the state's education system and Democrats have attacked as potentially devastating to public schools.

The bill would allow families making less than $75,000 annually to receive an education tax credit on state income taxes or local property taxes for expenses related to sending their children to private schools, another school district or educating them at home. Tax credits also would be granted for those donating money to organizations that grant scholarships for private schools.

Tuesday's speakers were evenly split between supporters and opponents of the bill. Dozens of children dressed in green shirts with pro-choice slogans sat in the audience.

Among the speakers in favor of the bill was the Rev. Tony Beam of Fountain Inn, who told lawmakers his own children have each been educated at home, in public schools and private schools.

"I believe our current system of education, if it's going to survive, has to radically change," he said. "The bottom line is that money, time and bureaucracy doesn't work."

Theresa Middleton, the principal of a private school in Berkeley County, said she supports the bill because it would "give our children a better future." She said some parents have to withdraw their children from her school because they can no longer afford the cost. The bill, she argued, would help them keep their kids where they want by making it more affordable.

But those who spoke against the bill worried about its unknown cost at a time of continuing budget problems and its lack of requirements for accountability in the private schools where students may move.

"I think this is the wrong idea at the wrong time," argued Rep. Joel Lourie, a Columbia Democrat.

Steve Hefner, superintendent of Richland District 2 in Columbia, said while he would not expect the bill to spark a "mass exodus" among his 19,500 students, diverting any state funding for private education is "way out of line" because of the financial hardship it will impose on public schools.

"My opinion is it will have a catastrophic impact," he said.

Supporters, however, countered that not only would the bill not drain public schools of funds, it would eventually increase per-pupil funding because the tax credits would only amount to half the cost of educating each child in public schools.

Lisa Stevens, a Greenville mom who is helping to organize a charter middle school in Greenville, told the panel that the bill would give parents the ability to choose where to send their child, a choice not possible for many because of cost.

"Without funding there really are no options," she said. "This is one step to give parents choices and options."

Those who spoke against the bill included a representative of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, officials with the state Department of Education, and the S.C. Education Association and Ned Sloan, a Greenville resident who has sued Gov. Mark Sanford and legislative leaders over public policy issues. Sloan said he favored school choice but felt the bill was "terrible" legislation.

Those speaking in favor of the bill included parents, lawmakers, a USC professor and David Cope, a member of the Jasper School Board. Cope said he was appearing on behalf of himself, not the board. He said he believed the bill would not devastate his district financially and is needed because some school districts are in dire need for change.

"If they were all working we wouldn't be here today," he said.

The panel voted 2-1 to pass the bill to the full committee. Rep. Lewis Vaughn of Greenville, who chaired the committee, voted in favor of the bill after the two other members of his panel, Rep. Shirley Hinson of Goose Creek and Rep. Bill Clyburn of Aiken, split their vote.

Clyburn voted against the bill, saying he felt the committee needed more information.

Vaughn, a longtime proponent of school choice, said he has some problems with the bill but wants to see them addressed in the full committee.

"I think it's a start in the right direction," he said.