News and Press Releases for April 2007

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4/19/2007

Governor, Representatives Call for School District Consolidation

Bills by Reps. Kennedy, Rice Aimed Getting More Money to Classrooms

Columbia, S.C. - Following his call in the State of the State address for school district consolidation, Gov. Mark Sanford today joined Representatives Ken Kennedy (D - Greeleyville) and Rex Rice (R - Easley) to call for bills aimed at reducing administrative overlap and getting more money to the classroom.

Kennedy and Rex have each introduced bills that would consolidate functions of the state's 86 school districts. Kennedy's bill would limit school districts to one per county, while Rice's bill would do away with all school districts, and instead administer schools locally through 40 regional councils. Rep. Bob Walker, chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee, has said that the committee will hold hearings on the bills in the next few weeks.

"Many of the school district lines in South Carolina unfortunately are a throwback to segregation-era South Carolina, and it's a system that's hurting our students from the standpoint of tying up dollars in administration rather than getting those dollars to the classroom," Gov. Sanford said. "We welcome Ken and Rex's support in addressing this important issue, and look forward to working with them and the rest of the House on this front going forward."

In January of 2006, the School District Study Committee issued a report that concluded schools could realize a cost savings of more than $21.1 million by consolidating management functions that occur at the district and regional levels. A previous study found that as much as $26 million could be saved.

"I commend Governor Sanford for taking this step," Rep. Kennedy said. "I feel he is headed in the right direction to reform public education and school districts in South Carolina. This is one of the key steps forward."

"School district consolidation has a number of benefits, from providing more equitable resources to our students, to attracting industry to more rural parts of our state by taking away the fear that they'll be the primary target for education revenue," Rep. Rice said. "I feel having one statewide district for funding purposes made up of local councils for operations would meet many needs, and I hope this concept gains the momentum it needs to pass."