More than two dozen charter schoolteachers and students joined Gov. Mark Sanford, Rep. Doug Smith, R-Spartanburg, and others to mark Public Charter School Day and urge lawmakers to support legislation setting up a statewide charter school district.

Charter schoolteachers said their schools provide choice — often for kids who do not learn well in a traditional school. The special school district would help more charter schools get started.

“If Charlie Brown wants to learn to spell by singing ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T,’ let him sing it,” said Martha Evans, who is opening a charter school in Greenville.

The charter school bill has passed the House and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.