1. Legislative Update May 8, 2012

2. K-12 Education Budget House Version (H.4813) Base Student Cost $2,012 (current $1,880 / required $2,790) Minimum 2% increase in district employee salaries Index of Taxpaying Ability – deleted hold-harmless funds Furloughs allowed only if mid-year budget cuts Senate Version Senate finance committee to finalize this week Allow furloughs – not tied to mid-year budget cuts Index of Taxpaying Ability – trying to add dollars for hold-harmless Struck amendment requiring districts to post employee salaries on district website Full Senate debate starting on 5/15/12

3. Charter School Act Charter School Act (H.3241) Passed Senate and House on 5/1/12 With Governor for ratification Key points: Majority vote of school board to convert to charter if school has general obligation debt Two-thirds vote of local board to convert to charter school if school carries debt approved by referendum Funding based on school’s previous two-year weighted pupil unit Charter school students can participate in any excurricular activities offered at their resident public school if not offered at the student’s charter school

4. Equal Access to Activities Equal Access to Interscholastic Activities Act (S.149) Passed Senate on 4/24/12 House hearing this week Allows home school, charter school and Governor school students to participate in interscholastic activities in school district of their home residence Students must provide affidavit of attendance, class, or enrollment of home, charter, or Governor school Students required to fulfill the same responsibilities and standards for behavior and performance Students required to meet same standards for acceptance Prohibits student participation if it deprives student attending the school of an opportunity to participate Students required to maintain academic eligibility

5. School Choice Public School Choice Program Act (S.1267) On Senate calendar for this week House would have to accept as cross-over Districts, over a three year period, have to provide education program choices (i.e., public charter schools, vitural school programs, single gender, magnet schools) 2012-2013 – Districts form school choice committee 2013-2014 – Districts begin implementation of school choice program 2013-2014 – Districts develop plans for Open Enrollment 2014-2015 – Parents may enroll child in any public school in state without paying tuition District Board adopts policies for individual school capacities, standards of approval, priority of acceptance Transportation is responsibility of parent

6. Tuition Tax Credits Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits (H.4894/H.4576/H.4547/S1325) Passed House on 3/28/12 Currently in Senate education subcommittee Plan could cost $37 million State income tax deduction of up to $4,000 for tuition paid by the parent or legal guardian for child to attend an independent school State income tax deduction of up to $1,000 for tuition paid by parent or legal guardian for child to attend public school outside of their resident district State income tax deduction of up to $2,000 per home school student Dollar for dollar state income tax credit, insurance premium taxes, or bank license fees for contributions made to non-profit scholarship funding organizations that would provide ‘grants’ to eligible students to attend a qualifying independent school

7. South Carolina Public Schools are Succeeding!  Congratulations Teachers of the Year Aiken County Teacher of the Year – Lisa Raiford