Opponents characterize it as a way to back door vouchers and take funds from public education.

The resolution, proposed by the South Carolina School Boards Asso-ciation, contends the bill "demonstrates an abandonment of public education for all children" and that a strong public education system is part of "our democratic way of life." It recognizes parents' rights to send children to private school, "but not at the taxpayers' expense."

Board members discussed the resolution at their work session two weeks ago. Board President Bob Norwood said the bill would affect the money the district receives on a per pupil basis.

"Our stance is that funneling money from public coffers for private education hurts public education," Norwood said. "Certainly we respect the right of every parent to do what's right for their children, and if it's private education, then that's their right. Our objection is to funding it with public education dollars."

The bill moved to the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee last week, giving the House only a week to meet a May 1 deadline for sending it to the Senate. The bill also could be attached to a Senate education bill and sent back to the House.

The legislature is expected to adjourn the first part of June. If action is not taken during this session, Statehouse observers expect it to reappear when the legislature convenes again in January.

In other business

• The board is expected to act on standardized dress codes that would require specific styles and colors at Castle Heights and Saluda Trail middle schools. Parents and staff have already approved the measure at those schools.

• The board is also expected to act on the year-round school proposal at Sunset Park Elementary School, also a move approved by vote of parents and staff.

• Also planned for action is a proposal to modify assignments of current eighth-graders who would have to transfer to Rock Hill or Northwestern high school their sophomore year when the third high school opens. Because transportation is an issue, the board proposed that families who can provide their own transportation could take their teens next year to the school they are scheduled to attend their sophomore year. The district sent a survey to affected families.

Of 72 surveys sent to families who would transfer from Rock Hill to Northwestern their sophomore year, 11 had responded by last week: Five said they would choose to attend Northwestern all four years and six said they would begin at Rock Hill and transfer in their sophomore year.

Of 93 surveys sent to families who would transfer from Northwestern to Rock Hill, 36 were returned by last week. Ten said they would go directly to Rock Hill High their freshman year without transferring, and 15 said they would attend Northwestern the first year and transfer their sophomore year. Another 11 said they wanted their children to attend Northwestern all four years, an option that was not on the survey.

• Scheduled for discussion is a parent survey on whether some students at overcrowded Old Pointe Elementary School should be reassigned or whether more mobile units should be added. Families who live in Barron Estates, Flint Street, Ebenezer Village, Mabry Park and Stafford Park areas would be affected.

Staff and the School Improve-ment Council support reassignment, saying the mobile units are not conducive either to good education or safety. Also, additional mobile units would have to be placed in the track and ballfield area due to site limitations.

Of 122 surveys sent to families who would be affected by the reassignment, 53 were re-turned by last week. Nineteen supported sending their children to a less crowded school. Thirty-six supported adding mobile units.

Contact Karen Bair at 329-4080 or mailto:kbair@heraldonline.com

Want to go?
The Rock Hill School Board is scheduled to meet tonight at the school district office, 660 N. Anderson Road. They will go into executive session at 6 p.m. and are scheduled for an open business session in the board room at 7 p.m.