Privatizing government services rarely works out well. But when the service in question is school buses, privatization has a lot to offer.

That's why Gov. Mark Sanford was on target in suggesting that the state-run school bus system be privatized. This concept works well in hundreds of U.S. school districts.

The General Assembly has shown itself chronically unable to buy enough school buses to meet the needs of the 85 South Carolina school districts.

So, a majority of South Carolina school children ride on clunkers requiring constant maintenance to remain roadworthy. By giving school districts a transportation allowance and requiring them to hire bus contractors, the General Assembly could bring the fleet up to snuff in a hurry.

Would it save money? Probably not. But from the get-go, South Carolina children would ride to school on reliable equipment. Over time, school bus spending would flatten out -- with adjustments for inflation and increasing enrollment. And the incessant aggravation that stems from the legislature's mishandling of this issue would go away for good.