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Superintendent Zais seeks increased funding for buses, classroom savings, and district flexibility. Learn about the budget goals and process timeline for South Carolina's education finances.
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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 • 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