COLUMBIA, S.C. - An Arlington, Va.-based organization is offering $20 million for South Carolina's charter schools if the Legislature approves a bill making it easier to get those schools established.

Gov. Mark Sanford's co-chief of staff Tom Davis told a Senate Education subcommittee Wednesday that Dennis Bakke, president and chief executive of Imagine Schools, has pledged the money.

"One of his passions is charter schools," Davis said. "He has made a commitment ... if this particular charter school bill is passed."

The subcommittee approved the bill that creates a statewide charter school district. That new district is intended as a way of getting around local school district opposition and streamlining approvals for the schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded, but they don't have to meet the same rules that regular public schools meet, including teacher standards.

Bakke favors the statewide district bill as "being instrumental for jump-starting the charter-school movement. To kind of up the ante a little bit, that's why he's willing to place this $20 million," Davis said. The money would come in the form of a loan program, Davis said.

Bakke did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Imagine Schools is an education service provider that operates K-12 public charter and independent schools nationwide in partnership with parents and local school governing boards. The organization's Web site says Imagine's goal is "to provide each student in our schools with a challenging, effective program of study, strong moral development, in a nurturing and orderly learning environment."

Bakke has personal connections to the Sanford administration. He and the governor are friends and he is the son-in-law of Davis' law partner. Bakke has a home on Fripp Island and lives in Washington, D.C., Davis said.

Bakke's company, Applied Energy Systems, made him a fortune when he sold stock in it, Davis said.

"It's wonderful news for the charter school movement in our state," said Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, who sponsored the Senate version of the new charter school legislation.

Grooms expects the money is most needed in helping build or improve facilities that will be used for charter schools.

Sen. Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville, voted against the bill. He says he is concerned that the statewide charter school district will undermine the authority of the state Department of Education.

The agency does not oppose the bill, said Molly Spearman, legislative liaison for the Education Department. But the department proposed amendments - which the subcommittee approved - to clarify that the state does not provide transportation to charter or magnet schools and to require the Education Department to verify financial data with the charter school before it opens, Spearman said.

Others strongly opposed the plan.

"It's buying influence and it's blackmailing the duly elected representatives of our citizens," said Cecil Cahoon, spokesman for the South Carolina Education Association.

But Sanford spokesman Will Folks said the proposal simply is an opportunity to put much-needed money into education.

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On the Web:

www.imagineschools.com