Sanford’s plan not one to help schools improve

GOV. MARK SANFORD’S proposed budget for K-12 public schools shows the governor’s continuing disconnect from the important school reform work that is under way in our state. The governor’s “solutions” are off-track and off-base. Even if the governor’s plan truly restored state education spending to the levels the governor purports — which it does not — the initiatives are not those that will solve what has hindered South Carolina’s academic progress to date.

Gov. Sanford employs the odd term “backpacking” to describe the most questionable move in his spending plan. The term refers to a fiscal sleight of hand, which involves shifting other programs and their revenue to the Education Finance Act formula. That may make it appear that an important component of that formula, known as the Base Student Cost, benefits, but the benefit is illusory at best.

Backpacking is a new word for an idea the governor has previously proposed. The new name gives the idea no more appeal than it held before. Shifting funds the way the governor proposes would require local school districts to decide which existing programs to scrap. Just as bad, some districts would have to decide — again — whether to raise local property taxes to make up for state education funding cuts.

The governor argues this flexibility would be welcomed by local school districts. It is another example of the governor’s misdiagnosis of our state’s educational ills. The burden school districts most resist today is the notion that they can provide a 21st century education without even meeting decades-old state funding levels. Flexibility will only exacerbate the crisis in some of our state schools if that flexibility comes with this reduced state spending.

In the rationale for his budget, Gov. Sanford says he would spark transformative change in our schools. Those who know anything about our public schools know that such change is already under way. Most notably, the adoption of the 1998 Education Accountability Act heralded a new era in South Carolina education, one that can offer every child in our public schools the chance to learn. The sad fact is that in his three years in office, Gov. Sanford has done nothing to educate himself on the progress that is being made.

Gov. Sanford’s primary mantra in education reform is the world “choice.” He argues there isn’t enough opportunity for charter schools to flourish in our state. This ignores the fact that virtually every group seeking to form a charter in South Carolina has won approval for its plan. Gov. Sanford pushes for more “choice” in the form of tuition tax credits, an abominable idea.

Our business community and our state lawmakers have already expressed their choice — which is to support a stronger, more accountable public school system. Sending tax dollars to private schools, through whatever circuitous route one might choose, is the antithesis of this responsible approach.

When it comes to South Carolina’s public schools, state lawmakers should reject the governor’s spending plan. There are several other, more responsible and effective suggestions available for starting points, including some that would not break the bank in fiscal year 2005-2006. We encourage state lawmakers to take one of those more responsible paths over the one Gov. Sanford has laid out.