Legislative Update March 27, 2012

Charter School Act Charter School Act (H.3241) Approved by Senate on March 21, 2012 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 Non-concurrence by House on March 22, 2012 Senate appointed conference committee on March 22, 2012

Tuition Tax Credits Vouchers and Tuition Tax Credits (H.4894/H.4576/H.4547) House floor debate expected soon 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

Tax Reform Bills Bills filed for comprehensive state tax reform Bills referred to House Ways and Means Committee House subcommittee hearings will begin this week Bills include: Bill to reduce property tax for manufacturing and business personnel property Bill to flatten state income tax Bill to eliminate selected sales tax exemptions Bill to reduce income tax rates for business Bill to lower personnel income tax brackets Bill to reduce assessment ratio on commercial property from six to five percent Bill to eliminate corporate income tax

South Carolina Public Schools are Succeeding! 28 Aiken County Public Schools earned 32 Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards for Academic Achievement and Closing the Achievement Gap Double the number of Aiken County Public Schools received awards than last year North Augusta Middle, Kennedy Middle, Aiken Elementary, and Hammond Hill Elementary received both awards