School officials in at least two large, wealthy districts, including Charleston County, plan to hire lobbyists to make their cases in this year's legislative battle over property tax reform.

School leaders say they could stand to lose millions in property tax revenue, the main source of local school funding, if the state relies more heavily on sales tax revenue. Charleston County school leaders say they want someone who will protect their interests.

"This could be the biggest assault on public education," said Nancy Cook, chairwoman of the Charleston County School Board. "We're going to make sure our voice is heard."

The school board agreed in a 6-1 vote with one abstention to authorize the superintendent to negotiate a contract with lobbyist Jerome Heyward. The superintendent, who refused to be interviewed, is authorized to negotiate contracts up to $50,000.

Heyward is well-known in political circles. He's run for public office and failed to get elected five times, and he's changed political parties at least twice.

Heyward has lobbied for clients such as the state Human Affairs Commission and a casino gambling interest group. Last year, he worked for South Carolinians for Responsible Government, a primary advocacy group behind Gov. Mark Sanford's push for tax breaks for private school tuition, a plan that most school leaders vehemently oppose.

Jon Butzon, director of the Charleston Education Network, doesn't think the district needs a lobbyist and questioned the board's selection of Heyward. Either the board didn't have a problem with his former affiliation, or they didn't do their homework, he said.

"I think they need to do without the services of a paid lobbyist," he said.

Heyward said his part in the push for school choice last year was fairly minimal, and lobbyists change jobs and causes. It's a new year for the General Assembly, he said.

Cook said they picked Heyward because he expressed an interest in doing the job, and he has good relationships with lawmakers.

Butzon also criticized the board's last-minute decision to add the discussion to its executive session, which happens behind closed doors. The board amended its agenda before the closed session to talk about the contract, and then voted on the item in open session.

Kirby Shealy, an attorney for the South Carolina Press Association, said the board violated the Freedom of Information Act because the public has a right to know the topics boards will discuss at least 24 hours before scheduled meetings.

Charleston County board member Gregg Meyers, the lone vote against the decision, said he didn't feel comfortable voting for it, in part because it was added so late to the agenda.

"I need to know more about it before it will make sense to me," he said. "If there is some urgency that required it to be done (now), I don't know what that is."

Charleston County is the second district in the state to look at hiring lobbyists for the upcoming property tax fight. Late last year, Beaufort County and its local school board agreed to spend $250,000 to hire professionals in Columbia to campaign for changes to the state's funding formula.

Two other large school districts, Greenville and Horry counties, traditionally have used lobbyists. Greenville has used one for at least the past 10 years, while Horry started less than three years ago.

Officials in both districts said the lobbyists were effective, especially in improving communication among lawmakers and school leaders.

Some groups, such as the South Carolina School Boards Association, lobby for issues affecting all school districts, but Executive Director Paul Krohne said the group doesn't focus on the interests of specific districts.

The association encourages district leaders to talk to their lawmakers, he said.

The Charleston board historically has relied on its members and attorneys to talk to lawmakers, and Meyers said there's no reason why they shouldn't still be able to call or meet with them.

Board member Brian Moody abstained from the vote because he wanted to make sure that Heyward was a registered lobbyist, he said. He didn't get an answer, and he said he doesn't vote until all of his questions are answered.

Lobbyists are required by law to register with the State Ethics Commission before Jan. 5 each year or within 15 days after being hired as a lobbyist. Heyward said he has not registered yet.

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, said he believed Heyward is the perfect man to lobby for the school district.

"That's the best choice they could make," he said.

Contact Diette Courrégé at dcourrege@postandcourier.com or 937-5546.