Legislative Update February 28, 2012

Budget Request from SCDOE Superintendent Zais Budget Goals To find more cost savings Direct more funds to the classroom Push for school district flexibility Would like lawmakers to focus on ensuring recurring dollars are directed at the Education Finance Act (EFA)

Budget Request from SCDOE Superintendent Zais Budget Request Requested funding to maintain BSC at current level of $1,880 Requested additional $36M from state’s Capital Reserve Fund to buy new buses to meet state mandated 15-year replacement cycle Requested additional $5M for transportation costs, including bus fuel and parts Requested replacement of $56M in one-time funding appropriated to the EFA for current year with recurring general fund dollars

Budget Request from SCDOE 2012 Budget Process Timeline Ways and Means budget subcommittees meet in February Full Ways and Means Committee started budget debate on February 21st House budget floor debate scheduled to begin on March 13th

2012 Budget Provisos EFA Formula/BSC Inflation Factor Teacher Salaries BSC for current year set at $2,012 Teacher Salaries Statewide minimum teacher salary used in 2008-09 to be used in 2012-13 Employee Salaries District shall give at least a two percent increase in staff salaries School District Furlough Should there be a midyear reduction in state funding, districts may institute furloughs National Board Certification New applications are suspended for Fiscal Year 2012-13 Teacher Supplies Teachers and district staff may receive reimbursements up to $275 for supplies

South Carolina Public Schools are Succeeding! Nearly four out of five SC students passed states high school exit exam on their first attempt in 2010 National Council on Teacher Quality rates SC tops in nation for identifying and retaining effective teachers Education Week Magazine ranks SC Number 1 in Nation for improving teacher quality and Number 7 for academic standards and accountability