Horry County Prepares for Legislative Changes in Education
As Horry County gears up for the start of the 126th session of the South Carolina General Assembly, which is just around the corner on January 14, 2025, there’s a buzz in the air about a series of changes aimed at enhancing education in the state. The chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Sen. Greg Hembree, is ready to tackle some major issues head-on, with his sights set on a revamped approach to educational funding and teacher compensation.
Restoring the Education Scholarship Trust Fund
One of the hot topics on Sen. Hembree’s agenda is a fix for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund. This voucher program aimed to assist low-income families by providing $6,000 to pay for private school tuition. Unfortunately, the program faced a setback when the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional due to its reliance on public funds. But there’s a glimmer of hope! Sen. Hembree believes he has a path forward for this initiative.
“What we’re looking at now is funding it through a different fund, a different revenue stream that does not go through the general fund,” explained Hembree, representing the Republican Party and District 28 (Horry County). “So it’s really changing the structure of it to address the court’s concern, but the substance of it, the goal of it would still be reached.”
Teacher Pay on the Rise
Another essential point on the agenda is raising teacher salaries. Currently sitting at $47,500, Sen. Hembree is aiming for an increase to $50,000 within the next two years. This move is all about valuing education professionals and making the teaching profession more appealing.
“We’re getting our teachers’ salaries to a place where it really does value the profession,” Hembree said. “The goal is to try to get to $50,000. I don’t know that we will be able to get to that this year. But we knew that this was going to be a multi-year project.”
Working Conditions Matter Too
However, it isn’t just about pay. According to a recent survey by the Palmetto State Teachers Association, working conditions have become a top priority for educators, surpassing even compensation. Patrick Kelly, the association’s director of governmental affairs, emphasized the importance of reducing non-instructional burdens on teachers.
“We need policies to allow teachers to do what they entered the profession to do — which is teach,” Kelly stated. The hope is that reducing standardized testing and other time-consuming responsibilities will give teachers the space they need to focus on their students.
Streamlining Bureaucracy
Sen. Hembree expressed agreement that less bureaucracy is necessary for teachers to have more quality time with their students. This streamlining effort is already on the radar of South Carolina’s Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, who plans to conduct workflow studies to determine which processes can be simplified.
“The goal is to try to eliminate the bureaucracy or at least minimize the bureaucracy because the teachers aren’t there to fill out forms and checkboxes. They’re there to teach kids,” Hembree said.
Enhancing Charter School Accountability
Meanwhile, Sen. Hembree is also keen on increasing accountability within charter schools. He’s planning to push for a Charter School Accountability Bill, which aims to maintain transparency and responsibility in the use of taxpayer money.
“Just because you have a different model does not mean they’re not accountable,” he insisted. “They are taking taxpayer money to do their work and they have to be accountable.” Hembree’s determination to see this bill through reflects a growing call for greater accountability in education.
Looking Ahead
As the clock ticks down to the start of the General Assembly session, one thing is clear: exciting changes could be on the way for South Carolina’s education system. With a focus on funding reform, teacher pay, and accountability, there’s a lot to look forward to!
Stay tuned as the legislative landscape continues to evolve and Horry County residents hope for positive outcomes for their teachers and students alike!
