Education officials say a bill to give school districts more flexibility in spending state funds doesn't address the real problem: lack of money.

The bill, introduced Wednesday and promoted by Gov. Mark Sanford in a news conference, reduces from 86 to six the number of categories under which local schools get state money and allows local officials to transfer money within each category.

"Reforming the way we fund education in South Carolina is key regardless of the budget situation you find yourself in," Sanford said, adding that the plan would get more dollars flowing to classrooms.

With 59 co-sponsors - nearly half of the House - and more who could sign on, Sanford is encouraged.

Although many districts favor more flexibility, education officials said such a plan is insufficient.

They focus on the proposed per student aid of $1,643, a level educators say is too low.

"Districts are going to be really intrigued with the idea of having more flexibility," said Jim Foster, spokesman for the S.C. Department of Education. "[But] the problem staring districts in the face is that they don't have any money. This doesn't address that."

The bill goes to the House first, but even if it passes this year, there is not enough time left for it to pass the Senate.

The bill is the start of a legislative conversation, Sanford said, and may not be the final product.

Because of cutbacks in state education funding this year, school districts were given temporary authority to transfer state funds where local officials needed them.

The new bill, said Harrell Hardwick, Horry County Schools' chief financial officer, "doesn't provide additional funds for public education. It just makes for a simpler process in allocating those funds to the school district."