Legislative Update January 27, 2015

Budget 2015-2016 Governor Haley proposes K-12 education reform initiative Incentives to teach in rural areas $6.4 million for reading coaches $3.5 million to train and certify reading coaches $30 million for technology improvements $12 million for state charter schools Base Student Cost increase to $2,200

House Education Policy Review and Reform Task Force Task force made up of lawmakers, educators, business leaders, and school leaders Task force will study: State’s education funding system School year calendar with emphasis on fulfilling number of credits required to graduate Education standards Requirements of school districts with goal to eliminate unfunded mandates

Tuition Tax Credits, Vouchers (H.3072) Provides nonprofit scholarship funding to provide grants for defraying educational costs for exceptional needs children Provides tax credits for individuals or businesses that make contributions made to nonprofit scholarship funding H.3072 Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means (1/13/15)

Appointed State Superintendent of Education (H.3041) Amend Constitution of South Carolina to delete State Superintendent of Education from list of elected state officers Provide that State Superintendent of Education be appointed by Governor H.3041 Referred to House Committee on Judiciary (1/13/15)

Freedom of Information Act (S.11 and H.3192) Public body must provide agenda for all regularly scheduled meetings Agenda items added later than twenty-four hours before the meeting only by two-thirds vote of the body S.11 Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary (1/13/15) H.3192 Referred to House Committee on Judiciary (1/13/15)

South Carolina Jobs, Education and Tax Act Developed over the past few years by coalition of education groups Goal is to provide equitable, stable, and sound revenue source for public schools Will bring transparency and simplification of education funding Property tax relief for business, manufacturing and non-owner occupied properties

Our Aiken County Schools are Succeeding! School Spelling Bee Competitions County Spelling Bee Final February 2, 2015 URS Center for Performing Arts 7:00 p.m. Our Aiken County Schools are Succeeding!