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ACTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Next week, the Conference Committee on H.4967 (Ways and Means), the bill that revises the S.C. Retirement System, will begin its deliberations on a compromise. The Conference Committee consists of Senators Nikki Setzler, Thomas Alexander and Greg Ryberg with Representatives Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Kenny Bingham and Jim Merrill for the House. We need your help in keeping stakeholder involvement in the oversight of the retirement system through the Personal Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). Contact these committee members and ask them to keep the Senate PEBA amendment.

1. Click here to contact Senator Nikki Setzler

2. Click here to contact Senator Thomas Alexander

3. Click here to contact Senator Greg Ryberg

4. Click　here to contact Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter

5. Click here to contact Representative Kenny Bingham

6. Click here to contact Representative Jim Merrill

7. Subject Line – Concur with Senate PEBA Amendment on H.4967

8. Type or paste in text box- Over 90 percent of retired state workers live in South Carolina and support our state’s economy. Give us the opportunity to protect our investment by participating in PEBA. Thank you for your support.

REMEMBER-JUNE 12 PRIMARIES
STAY TUNED FOR THE SCEA PRIMARY RECOMMENDATIONS!

The Legislative Update –Week 20, May 29- 31, 2012

As a result of your efforts, The SCEA supported Senate amendments to H.4967 (Ways and Means), the bill that revises the S.C. Retirement System, were met positively by the House. The revised bill includes the following:
• continues TERI for all current employees,
• keeps in annual and sick leave in Annual Final Compensation (AFC) calculations,
• keeps 3 year averaging for current employees in AFC,
• provides guaranteed 1 percent pension adjustment for two years and then converts to adjustments based on return on investments
• requires 30 years of service for new employees instead of rule of 90 as in Senate version
• phases in the 1 percent employee contribution rate increase, over two years
• limits Return-to-work employees(post TERI) to $10,000 in salary before ending retirement payments

However, the House defeated the amendment to include the Personal Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). This authority would give stakeholders (i.e. teachers, state employees) the oversight of the financial management of the retirement and health care systems. South Carolina is one of three states that don’t have stakeholder oversight over these types of systems.

PEBA will also be discussed in the conference committee on H.3066, the government restructuring bill, which will meet Monday, June 4. The conference committee on H.3066 includes Senators Larry Martin, Gerald Malloy and Shane Massey, while the House will be represented by Representatives Brian White, Jim Harrison and Jay Lucas. Also at stake in H.3066 is the creation of the Department of Administration under Governor Nikki Haley.

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
• S.1267-(Hayes, York) – public school choice(Senate calendar)
• H.3028-(Clemmons, Horry)- teacher induction period extension (House calendar)
• H.4984-(White, Anderson) –voucher bill (Senate calendar)

Save the date…
Shaping Our Lives – Leading Our Profession - Do you want to learn how to advocate for the great things going on in your school? Do you want to explore ways to get your community to stand with you in supporting our great public schools? Do you want to become a more effective leader? If you are answering yes to any of the questions then plan to attend The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference – June 19 and 20, 2012, for more information and to register please go to www.thescea.org. The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference is open to all educators-members and nonmembers.

The Legislative Update –Week 19, May 22-24, 2012

By a vote of 27-10, the Senate completed its work on the $6.6 billion budget this week that includes:
• 2% pay raise for teachers (with an option for step increases for districts that can afford to pay them)
• 3% pay increase for state employees
• NO 4.5% increase in health care premiums for teachers and state employees

Senators Bright, Bryant, Davis, Fair, Grooms, S. Martin, Massey, Peeler, Rose and Verdin voted against this spending plan.

If the House does not concur with the Senate changes, a conference committee will be assigned to work on the differences. This conference committee will be composed of three members of the Senate and House.

Both chambers have retirement-related bills left on their calendars in this session. The differences in versions of H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville), the government restructuring bill between the House and Senate is requiring conference committee from both sides. The House has H.4967 on its calendar for Tuesday, May 29. One of the focus points of contention between House and Senate versions of this bill, and H.3066, is the establishment of the Personal Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). The SCEA supported the Senate amendment that included creating PEBA, a six member board would include stakeholders (i.e. The SCEA, State Employees) that would oversee the management of the S.C. Retirement System and health insurance organization.

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
• S.1267-(Hayes, York) – public school choice(Senate calendar)
• H.3066-(G.R. Smith, Greenville)- government restructuring(Senate calendar)
• H.3028-(Clemmons, Horry)- teacher induction period extension (Senate calendar)
• H.4967-(Ways and Means)-S.C. Retirement System revisions (House calendar)
• H.4984-(White, Anderson) –voucher bill (Senate Finance Committee)

Teacher Appreciation Month is in full swing! Please spread the word through your school and community. Anyone can honor a teacher and put them in the running for a free cruise from Bojangles' by simply going to http://www.scfutureminds.organd/ clicking on "Thank aTeacherToday" in the left-hand column. And don't forget that until the end of May to stock up on Mueller's pasta at Piggly Wiggly stores and to purchase apples at any Bojangles'. Also, Bojangles will be giving all SC teachers free ice tea through the month of May. Simply show your id at the restaurant.

SC Teacher of the Year Broadcast -- Gather your friends and family around the TV and settle in to watch the broadcast of the SC Teacher of the Year Celebration on SCETV on Sunday June 3 at 6 p.m.

Save the date…
Shaping Our Lives – Leading Our Profession - Do you want to learn how to advocate for the great things going on in your school? Do you want to explore ways to get your community to stand with you in supporting our great public schools? Do you want to become a more effective leader? If you are answering yes to any of the questions then plan to attend The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference – June 19 and 20, 2012, for more information and to register please go to www.thescea.org. The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference is open to all educators-members and nonmembers.

ACTION FOR THE WEEK
Senator Larry Grooms (Berkeley) is introducing an amendment that will put H.4894 (White-Anderson, voucher bill) into the 2012-13 budget as an amendment. Please contact your senator and ask him to vote NO on the Grooms voucher amendment.

1. Click here to find your Senator

2. Click here to contact your Senator

3. Subject Line – Vote NO on Voucher Amendment

4. Type or paste in text box- A voucher amendment will take public funds to support private schools and is being introduced by Senator Larry Grooms. This bill is expected to cost $37 million dollars in its first year of implementation and the costs will increase each year. Support our children’s future through school reforms that impact student achievement-increasing parental involvement, decreasing class sizes and providing programs that prepare our students for jobs for the future. I ask that you vote NO on any voucher amendments. Sixty-four percent of S.C. residents oppose using taxpayer money to support private schools. Thanks for your support for our children’s future.

The Legislative Update –Week 18, May 15-17, 2012
The Senate began the budget debate this week and they have passed the following amendments:
• Amendment 49- 2% pay raise for teachers (with an option for step increases for districts that can afford to pay them)
• Amendment 29- reading initiative mandate
• Amendment 30- up to $500,000 for teacher endorsement activities to SCDE
• Proviso for school bus decentralization study
• Prohibition on furloughs removed

The Senate passed H.4976 (Ways and Means Committee), the S.C. Retirement System bill. The bill was amended to include a trigger for increasing employee/employer contributions and to have the Executive Director of the Personal Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) as a nonvoting member of the Retirement System Investment Commission.

In addition, the Senate voted to nonconcur with H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville), the government restructuring bill. The House amended H.3066 and returned it to the Senate without addressing any of the Senate’s amendments. This bill will now go to conference committee-of three House and Senate members, to work out the differences. The SCEA supported the Senate amendment that included creating the Personal Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). This six member board would include stakeholders (i.e. The SCEA, State Employees) that would oversee the management of the S.C. Retirement System and health insurance organization.

The House of Representatives concurred with the Senate amendment on H.3152 (Young, Aiken), which will allow the Governor and Lt. Governor to run as a team on the general election ballot. The Senate amended the bill to make the effective date for this transition the 2018 general election.

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
• S.1267-(Hayes, York) – public school choice(Senate calendar)
• H.3066-(G.R. Smith, Greenville)- government restructuring(Senate calendar)
• H.3028-(Clemmons, Horry)- teacher induction period extension (Senate calendar)
• H.4967-(Ways and Means)-S.C. Retirement System revisions (House calendar)
• H.4984-(White, Anderson) –voucher bill (Senate Finance Committee)

Save the date…
Shaping Our Lives – Leading Our Profession - Do you want to learn how to advocate for the great things going on in your school? Do you want to explore ways to get your community to stand with you in supporting our great public schools? Do you want to become a more effective leader? If you are answering yes to any of the questions then plan to attend The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference – June 19 and 20, 2012, for more information and to register please go to www.thescea.org. The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference is open to all educators-members and nonmembers.

The Legislative Update –Week 16, May 1-3, 2012
The SCEA scored several big wins this week when the Senate Finance Special Retirement Subcommittee revised H.4967 (Ways and Means Committee) to:

- Provide a 1% guaranteed retirement allowance adjustment (COLA with a maximum of $500)
- Maintain 3 year average final compensation (AFC) for current employees
- Continue 28 year retirement for existing employees
- Retain sick and annual leave in AFC for current employees

In addition, this revised bill will phase-in a .5% employee contribution rate increase each year for three years, eliminates discounting in purchasing service time and requires all newly elected members of the General Assembly to participate in the S.C. Retirement System.

However, the Senate amendment went further with the TERI program by totally closing it by June 30, 2018. This bill will next move to the Senate floor for debate. Click here to see the complete matrix of all the proposed changes to S.C. Retirement System by the House and Senate.

The Senate also accepted the Conference Committee report on H.3241 (Owens-Pickens), the revised charter school bill. The House had already accepted the Conference Committee report and the bill now goes to the Governor for passage.

The House of Representatives finally passed an amended version of H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville), a government restructuring bill after having the bill on its calendar since February. The House chose not to work on the Senate amendment, but to revise this legislation with a new structure that gives Governor Nikki Haley 90% control of the state’s administrative functions. In this revision, the current five-member Budget and Control Board will be eliminated and some of its functions will be handled by a seven-member State Contracts & Accountability Authority made up of the governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller general, state treasurer, attorney general and appointments by the House speaker and president pro tempore of the Senate. This board will be responsible for controlling the state’s bonding authority, annual retirement assumptions and employee health insurance plan benefits. The SCEA supported the Senate amendment which created a stakeholder board for retirement and employee health insurance plan benefits. The revised version of H.3066 now heads back to the Senate.

ACTIONS FOR THE WEEK
The Senate will be debating the revised H.4967 (Ways and Means Committee). We need your help in making sure that this bill passes the Senate-contact your Senator today.

1. Click here to find your Senator

2. Click here to send your Senator a message

3. Type or paste in Subject Line – Protect our state’s financial future

4. Type or paste in the Text Box - Please support the revised version of H.4967 (Ways and Means Committee) because providing a stable retirement system is a great recruitment and retention tool for teachers, as well as state employees. We appreciate all of the work the Special Retirement Subcommittee did in protecting the commitment to current employees. Thanks for your support for our state’s future.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 12 FOR JUNE 12 PRIMARIES
The June 12th primary is quickly approaching. Please make sure that you and your fellow educators are registered to vote. The majority of the House and Senate elections will be decided in the primaries, let your voice be heard!
Click here to get information on voter registration or to download the voter registration form.

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
• S.1267-(Hayes, York) – public school choice(Senate calendar)
• H.3066-(G.R. Smith, Greenville)- government restructuring(Senate calendar)

Save the date…
Shaping Our Lives – Leading Our Profession - Do you want to learn how to advocate for the great things going on in your school? Do you want to explore ways to get your community to stand with you in supporting our great public schools? Do you want to become a more effective leader? If you are answering yes to any of the questions then plan to attend The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference – June 19 and 20, 2012, for more information and to register please go to http://www.thescea.org/   . The SCEA Summer Leadership Conference is open to all educators-members and nonmembers.

The SCEA is on FACEBOOK & TWITTER! Join/follow us to keep informed.

Check out this education blog http://educatingsouthcarolina.blogspot.com/

The SCEA-Protecting and defending children and public education for 130 years!

ACTIONS FOR THE WEEK

The Senate Education Committee firmly committed to improving student achievement through "public school choice" this week with a Favorable report on S. 1267(Hayes-York). The bill is now on the Senate calendar for debate. However, Senator Mike Fair (Greenville) has place an objection on the bill, which will cause the floor debate on the bill to be delayed. Because this is a two year session, any bills not "crossing" over from the Senate to the House by May 1 is not likely to pass this year. We need your help in making sure S.1267 "crosses over" to the House by May 1.

1. Please contact Senator Mike Fair by phone (803) 212-6420 or email　

2. Type or paste in Subject Line – Support student achievement through public school choice

3. Type or paste in the Text Box- Please remove your objection to S.1267 (Hayes-York) because public school choice improves student achievement and helps alleviate the affects of poverty on our children. In addition, this legislation has the potential to increase parental involvement, similar to results in the charter school environment. Thanks for your support for our children’s future.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 12 FOR JUNE 12 PRIMARIES
The June 12th primary is quickly approaching please make sure that you and your fellow educators are registered to vote. The majority of the House and Senate elections will be decided in the primaries, let your voice be heard!
Click here to get information on voter registration or to download the voter registration form.

The Legislative Update –Week 13, April 17-19, 2012
The House of Representatives returned from a two week furlough on April 17, 2012.

Governor Nikki Haley signed H.4905 (Bingham-Lexington) into law on April 14, which gives school districts until May 15 to provide teacher contracts.

The Senate passed H.4690 (Owens-Pickens) the "Jason Flatt Act" legislation that would provide two hours of youth suicide awareness training for teachers was held up in the Senate. The SCEA is supportive of H.4690 and because of this passage, South Carolina will be one of the first ten states to enact this type of legislation. As a result, The Jason Flatt Foundation will be providing the awareness training for South Carolina at no cost.

While the Senate Education Committee passed S.1267, the public school choice legislation-the bill was amended to remove the requirement for the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) to create an Office of School Choice, to allow school districts to determine capacity and to allow school districts to apply for waivers from the State Board of Education on opting out of public school choice.

Committee reports:
Senate Education Committee
H.3236 (Daning, Berkeley) – includes Christian schools as an authorizer of compulsory education – Favorable
Regulation 4258 – defined program – Favorable
Regulation 4261 – graduation requirements-Favorable

House Ways and Means Committee
H. 4993 (Stringer, Greenville) - Manufacturing property tax and business personal property tax reductions-Adjourned debate
H. 4998 (Stringer, Greenville) - Commercial property tax reduction –Adjourned debate

Ways and Means Property Tax Subcommittee
H 4610 (Merrill, Charleston) -School Bus Decentralization –Favorable with amendment (amended to develop a study committee, a　 major setback)

Ways and Means Sales and Income Tax Subcommittee
H. 4995 (Stringer, Greenville) - Sales Tax Exemptions -Favorable

Legend:
Favorable=positive support and moving to next stage
Carried over= remains in subcommittee
Recommitted=sent back to agency/subcommittee for further revisions

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
• H.4967 (Ways and Means Committee) – revises S.C. Retirement System
• H.3066(G.R. Smith, Greenville) – restructures state government with a separate authority for the S.C. Retirement System and health insurance organizations

Education Fact for the Week…
The Report of The Century Foundation Task Force on the Common School concludes that "of all the various strategies available, research suggests that the best method for improving education in the United States is to eliminate the harmful effects of concentrated school poverty."

ACTION FOR THE WEEK

The bill that changes the S.C. Retirement System, H.4976 (Ways and Means Committee), is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance Special Retirement Subcommittee during the week of April 16. The SCEA is continuing its fight to get the following changes:
• Include sick and annual leave in the Average Final Compensation(AFC)
• Keeps three years in benefit calculations

We need your help in contacting the following committee members:

Senator Greg Ryberg-Chairman (GregRyberg@scsenate.gov)

Senator Thomas Alexander

Senator Nikki Setzler

Senator Darrell Jackson

Senator Danny Verdin

2. Type in Subject Line – Honor the commitment!

3. Type in the Text Box- Thanks to the Senate Special Subcommittee on Retirement for your efforts to provide stability to the SCRS. However, H.4967 passed by the House removes two things that are important to us. Teachers and state employees have sacrificed over the years and would like to keep the current highest AFC calculation for twelve consecutive quarters instead of extending to twenty. We also request sick leave and annual leave remain in the benefit calculations. Thanks for your support for our concerns.

The Legislative Update –Week 12, March 27-29, 2012
Last week the House of Representatives took action on several bills important to K-12 education before going on furlough until April 17, 2012.

By a vote of 62-49, the chamber passed H.4894 (White-Anderson) the voucher bill that allows taxpayers to pay for private schools. The bill passed after several hours of debate and the defeat of several amendments by Representatives Doug Brannon (Spartanburg) and Mike Anthony (Union). Representative Brannon proposed five amendments that covered such topics as prohibiting discrimination based on special needs or academic achievement, while Representative Mike Anthony proposed an amendment that would have required students obtaining the tax deduction to be required to take the same test as traditional public school students in grades 3-8 (PASS test). However two amendments passed-one by Rep. Harry Ott (Calhoun) that would end the voucher legislation in December 2019 and one by Rep. Gene Pinson (Greenwood) that prohibits current legislators from getting the tax deduction for four years.

The House adopted the Conference Committee report on H.3241 (Owens-Pickens), a revised charter school bill. Because the House refused to accept the Senate amendments on H.3241, a conference committee with Representatives Phil Owens, Jimmy Neal and Andy Patrick and Senators Wes Hayes, John Matthews and Mike Fair met last week to develop a compromise conference report. The compromise conference report contained the following:
• allows a local school board to approve and oversee “innovation schools” that will have similar deregulation authority as charter schools
• reverts the vote requirement for conversion charter school to what is already required in statute (two-thirds of faculty, staff and all voting parents/guardians of students enrolled)
• requires a two-thirds vote of the local board to approve a conversion school that is tied to referendum debt
• allows the Treasurer to manage the Revolving Loan Program
• allows charter school students to participate in extracurricular activities in traditional public schools in the districts they are zoned to attend

While the House adopted the conference committee report by a vote of 105-0, the Senate adjourned without adopting the report.

In addition, the House passed H.4904 (Bingham, Lexington) which allows school districts to post report cards online and H.4905 (Bingham, Lexington) that requires school districts to notify teachers of employment contracts by May 15. The bills were read in the Senate and placed on the calendar without reference for next week because the Senate is on furlough this week, returning on April 10.

Committee reports:
Senate Education Subcommittee
S.149 (Campsen, Charleston) – allows access to interscholastic activities for home school, Governor’s school and charter school students-Favorable
H.3028 (Clemmons, Horry) – extends teacher induction period to three years- Favorable H.3035 (Erickson, Beaufort) – allows school districts to set beginning and length of school term – Carried over
H.4690 (Owens, Pickens) – “Jason Flatt Act”, provides teacher training in suicide awareness and prevention-Favorable
S.1042 (Anderson, Greenville) - provides criminal awareness training for middle and high school students-Favorable
Regulation 4206 - credential classification - Favorable
Regulation 4207 - requirements for additional areas of certification K-12 education- Favorable
S.604 (Fair, Greenville) - eliminates the common core standards for SC - Carried Over

Senate K-12 Finance Subcommittee
H.4595 (Bingham, Lexington) – amends the maintenance of effort for Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) funds-Favorable with amendments

House K-12 Education Subcommittee
Regulation 4198 – accreditation criteria- Adjourned debate
Regulation 4201 – gifted and talented-Recommitted to S.C. Department of Education
Regulation 4206 – credential classification-Favorable

Ways and Means Committee
H.4993 (Stringer, Greenville) – provides property tax reductions for manufacturing and business personal property – Adjourned debate
H.4998 (Stringer, Greenville) – provides property tax reductions for commercial property – Adjourned debate
H.4996 (Stringer, Greenville) – provides property tax reductions for small business active income tax – Favorable with amendments
H.4997 (Stringer, Greenville) consolidation of the Individual Income Tax brackets – Favorable

The abovementioned property tax bills could impact K-12 funding because of their impact on the state's tax collections.

Legend:
Favorable=positive support and moving to next stage
Carried over= remains in subcommittee
Recommitted=sent back to agency/subcommittee for further revisions

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
H.3066 (G.R. Smith, Greenville), a government restructuring bill that was amended in the Senate to create a separate authority for the S.C. Retirement System (SCRS) and insurance services-Personnel Employees Benefits Authority (PEBA). The SCEA needs your help in keeping this important amendment in this bill. The bill will be debated on the House floor the week of April 17.

ACTION FOR THE WEEK
H.3066 (G.R. Smith, Greenville), a government restructuring bill that was amended in the Senate to create a separate authority for the S.C. Retirement System (SCRS) and insurance services-Personnel Employees Benefits Authority (PEBA). Being in a separate agency will provide more stability for these benefits. The SCEA needs your help in keeping this important amendment in this bill. The bill will be debated on the House floor the week of March 27.

1. Click here to find your House of Representative member

2. Click here to contact your House of Representative member

3. Subject Line – Keep PEBA

4. Type or paste in text box- We support the effort to separate the oversight of the retirement system and insurance services from the political environment of the Executive branch. Please keep the amendment that creates the Personnel Employees Benefit Authority (PEBA). Thank you for your support

The Legislative Update –Week 11, March 20-22, 2012

The House passed H.4976 (Ways and Means Committee), the bill that changes the S.C. Retirement System this week. Included in this bill are:
• Increases in employee contributions 1% to 7.5%
• Removes sick and annual leave from the Average Final Compensation(AFC)
• Lowers benefits by changing to five years of salaries from three years in benefit calculations
• Increases service years to 30 years for personnel hired after July 1, 2012
• Prohibits participation in TERI for personnel hired after July 1, 2012
• Increases employee contributions for General Assembly members 1% to 11%
• Prohibits General Assembly members from drawing retirement while still serving

Only two amendments were introduced during the debate on this bill. The first amendment sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Bales (Richland) would have allowed SCRS participants with ten years of service to keep their annual and sick leave in the AFC. The second amendment sponsored by Rep. Harry Ott (Calhoun) would have provided SCRS participants with 23 years to maintain the current plan. Both amendments failed before the bill passed 86-27. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The Senate passed the charter school bill, H.3241 (Owens-Pickens), which revises the charter school laws in the state. This bill was amended to:
• Allow more charter schools to form including sponsorships by universities
• Provide opportunities for single gender schools
• Gives charter school students access to sports and extracurricular activities in traditional schools
The House has voted to nonconcur with the Senate amendments and the Senate has voted to insist on its amendments. The bill will now head to a Conference Committee where the Senate has appointed Senators Matthews, Hayes and Fair to be its representatives.

The Senate Finance Special Retirement Subcommittee met to hear comments from all groups that have a vested interest in the redesign of the S.C. Retirement System (SCRS). Jackie B. Hicks, The SCEA President presented our requests to keep annual and sick leave in the AFC calculation, as well as maintaining the current calculation of benefits at the last three years instead of five.

Committee reports:
Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
S.149 (Campsen, Charleston) – allows access to interscholastic activities for home school, Governor’s school and charter school students-Favorable with amendments
H.3028 (Clemmons, Horry) – extends teacher induction period to three years- Favorable with amendments
H.3035 (Erickson, Beaufort) – allows school districts to set beginning and length of school term – Carried over

Ways and Means Property Tax Subcommittee
H.4610 (Merrill, Charleston) – privatization of school buses – Carried over

Ways and Means Property Tax Subcommittee
H.4904 (Bingham, Lexington) – allows school districts to post report cards online – Favorable
H.4905 (Bingham, Lexington) – requires school districts to notify teachers of employment contracts by May 15- Favorable

Legend:
Favorable=positive support and moving to next stage
Carried over= remains in subcommittee

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
H.4894 (White, Anderson) a voucher bill which provides tuition tax deductions to attend private and public schools will be debated on the House floor starting March 20 and is expected to cost $38 million dollars in its first year of implementation. The cost of this bill will increase each year and the current amount has not been appropriated in the 2012-13 budget. The bill is pending on the House floor and could come up at anytime.

Education Fact of the Week
79% of S.C. residents cite parental involvement as the best way to improve public schools.
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, 3/11

ACTION FOR THE WEEK
H.4894 (White, Anderson) a voucher bill which provides tuition tax deductions to attend private and public schools will be debated on the House floor starting March 20 and is expected to cost $38 million dollars in its first year of implementation. The cost of this bill will increase each year and the current amount has not been appropriated in the 2012-13 budget. Please contact your House member and ask their support against this legislation.

1. Click here to find your House of Representative member

2. Click here to contact your House of Representative member

3. Subject Line – School reform YES

4. Type or paste in text box- Support our children’s future through school reforms that impact student achievement-increasing parental involvement, decreasing class sizes and providing programs that prepare our students for jobs for the future. I ask that you vote NO on H.4894. 64% of S.C. residents oppose using taxpayer money to support private schools.

The Legislative Update –Week 10, March 12-15, 2012

By a vote of 115-0, the House passed a $6.5 billion budget for 2012-13 this week. Included in this plan are:
• 2% increases for teachers and state employees
• $152 million for K-12 education, resulting in a $2012 base student cost
• healthcare coverage for an additional 80,000 children

Also during the budget debate, House Minority Leader Harry Ott (Calhoun) sponsored amendment 88 which would give teachers and state employees an additional 1% bonus. However this amendment was defeated by a vote of 57-37. Click here to see how your representative voted on this amendment.

An effort to overturn the proposed suspension of the National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) program was also defeated by a vote of 73-38. Rep. James Smith (Richland) sponsored the amendment that was defeated. To see how your representative voted, click here.

The Senate began debate on H.3241 (Owens-Pickens), which revises the charter school laws in the state. Because of differences on rules for charter school conversion and providing due process rights to charter school teachers-the bill was carried over until next week. The SCEA lead the effort to protect teachers by requiring charter schools to follow the teacher’s employment and dismissal act through an amendment sponsored by Sen. Phil Leventis (Sumter).

The Senate Finance Special Retirement Subcommittee met to hear a review of H.4898 (Merrill-Charleston) by members of the S.C. Retirement System (SCRS) and S.C. Retirement System Investment Commission (RISC). H.4898 is the bill introduced by the House Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Retirement to revise the SCRS. The Senate committee has not introduced a bill yet.

State Senator Darrell Jackson (Richland) has proposed a four percent pay raise for state employees and teachers. Jackson’s plan would scrap the South Carolina House of Representatives budget item that contains a two percent raise for state employees.

Committee reports:
Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
S.1042 (Anderson, Greenville) – provides criminal awareness training to middle and high school students – Favorable with amendments
S.1128 (Hayes, York) – “Jason Flatt Act” which provides teacher training on suicide awareness and prevention-comparable to H.4690 (Owens, Pickens) – Favorable
S.149 (Campsen, Charleston) – allows access to interscholastic activities for home school, Governor’s school and charter school students-Carried over
H.3028 (Clemmons, Horry) – extends teacher induction period to three years-Carried over
S.1210 (Hayes, York) – provides funding for S.C. Arts Commission – Favorable

Introduced this week:
S.1341 (Courson, Richland) – recognition for 2012 district teachers of the year
S.1346 (Rose, Berkeley) – extends requirement for reporting child abuse to school or college administrators, coaches, and volunteers who work with children as camp counselors, scout leaders, or mentors.


Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Bills still in the spotlight…
H.3066 (G.R. Smith, Greenville) – restructures state government and includes an amendment to separate the S.C. Retirement System and healthcare system into a separate authority, House floor debate expected March 20

Education Fact of the Week
76% of the money paid out for Arizona’s voucher program has gone to children already in private schools.
National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL)

URGENT ACTION FOR MARCH 13

The House of Representatives started the budget debate today and the education community needs to respond immediately to the following items:
• Ends funding for Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards(Amendments 1,35,36,37 and 38)
• Support for Rep. Ott amendment for school district pay increases
• Support for Rep. James Smith amendment for SE average and restoration of NBCT program

1. Click here to find your legislator

2. Click here to contact your legislator

3. Subject Line-South Carolina children deserve the best curriculum and instructors

4. Type in the textbox-Please vote against amendments 1,35,36,37 and 38 because our students deserve to be competitive for jobs in the future. We urge you to support Representative Harry Ott and James Smith’s amendments that help ensure our children have quality teachers in their classrooms. Thanks for your support.

ACTION FOR THE WEEK…
The House of Representatives will be debating the budget next week (March 12-16).

House Minority Leader Harry Ott (Calhoun) will be leading an effort on the floor to increase teacher salaries by an additional 1% over the appropriated 2% in the 2012-13 budget. Please support his efforts by contacting your House members and asking their support for this amendment.

1. Click here to find your House of Representative member.

2. Click here to contact your House of Representative member

3. Type in Subject Line – Support the Ott amendment to increase teacher salaries an additional 1%

4. Types in the Text Box- Teacher salaries have been frozen for the last two years and income cut as a result of furloughs. The average teacher spends $40-100/month out of their pockets to buy supplies for their classes. Please support Rep. Ott’s amendment to provide an additional 1% to our salaries. This increase will offset our increase in the employee contribution to the retirement system. Thanks for your support.

The Legislative Update –Week 9, March 6-8, 2012
The House Ways and Means Committee met this week to review H.4894 (White-Anderson) and H.4898 (Merrill-Charleston). H.4894, which provides tuition tax deductions for parents to send their children to private and public schools was reported out of committee -Favorable with amendments by a vote of 16-8. The bill was amended to require private schools to post test grades on their websites and to allow public schools to participate in the same testing as private schools. Also, during the committee debate it was stated that the $38 million fiscal impact of the legislation would have to be paid out of the 2012-13 budget-but no funds have been designated for this expense. The SCEA will continue fight against this voucher bill and the negative impact it will have on the children of our state. The bill will next be debated on the House floor March 20.

Also, the Ways and Means Committee reported out Favorable with amendments, H.4898 (Merrill-Charleston) that revises the S.C. Retirement System. The bill was amended by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (Orangeburg), to phase in the additional 1% employee contribution over two (2) years and Representative Kenny Bingham (Lexington), to ensure the state’s contribution rate does not decrease until the accrued liability contribution is discontinued. The SCEA supports providing long term stability for the system, but some of the recommended changes affecting current employees suggest additional modifications are needed in this bill. Specifically, The SCEA is seeking modifications on the following:
• Continuation of current law for the Average Final Compensation(AFC) calculations of twelve consecutive quarters from the proposed twenty
• Increases in employee contributions only in years of employee pay raises
• Keeping the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) based on the inflation factor instead on averaging returns on investments

This bill will be heard on the House floor during the week of March 20-22.

By a vote of 93-15, the House of Representatives passed a ban on texting while driving (H.4451, Bowen-Anderson). This bill would impose a penalty of $100 for the first violation and jail for those who cause accidents that result in fatalities.

Committee reports:
House K-12 Education Subcommittee
Regulation 4198 – accreditation criteria, Adjourned debate
Regulation 4201 – gifted and talented, Adjourned debate
Regulation 4206 – credential classification, Adjourned debate
Regulation 4207 – requirements for additional areas of certification, Favorable
H.4586 (Sottile-Charleston) – requires CPR training for high school graduation, Adjourned debate

Introduced this week:
S.1325 (Grooms-Berkeley) – private and public school choice (companion to H.4894)
H.4953 (Norman-York) – allows school boards to advance the opening of school by no more than one week

Bills still in the spotlight:
H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville) - government restructuring bill which creates a new cabinet agency, Department of Administration (DOA) and the S.C. Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). PEBA will provide stability for the SC Retirement System (SCRS) and the health insurance system (House floor debate week of March 20-22)

H.3241 (Owens-Pickens) - charter school revisions. (Senate floor debate week of March 20-22)

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week

55% of South Carolina residents think private school vouchers will cost taxpayers money.

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, 3/11

ACTION FOR THE WEEK…

Honor the current contract!
This week the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Ad Hoc Retirement Subcommittee met to review H.4898, which revises the S.C. Retirement System (SCRS). The SCEA supports providing long term stability for the system, but some of the recommended changes affecting current employees suggest additional modifications are needed in this bill.

Specifically, The SCEA is seeking modifications on the following:
• Continuation of current law for the Average Final Compensation(AFC) calculations of twelve consecutive quarters from the proposed twenty
• Two-year phase in for increased employee contributions
• Increases in employee contributions only in years of employee pay raises
• Keeping the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) based on the inflation factor instead on averaging returns on investments

1. Click here to contact the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee.

2. Type in Subject Line – Honor the current contract!

3. Type in the Text Box- Thanks to the Ad Hoc committee on their efforts to provide stability to the SCRS in H.4898. We appreciate their hard work. However, teachers and state employees have sacrificed over the years and would like to keep the current AFC calculation for twelve consecutive months instead of extending to twenty. We also request that employee contributions be only required in years that we receive pay increases and phased-in over two years to offset our loses from furloughs, as well as no pay increases. Find a solution to providing COLAs to retirees and not have them depend on the stock market to survive! Thanks for your support for our concerns.

The Legislative Update –Week 8, February 28- March 2, 2012

The SCEA supported a grass roots effort lead by Charleston County teacher Patrick Hayes in a press conference this week. Jackie B. Hicks, The SCEA President joined Patrick and House Minority Leader Harry Ott in calling for the restoration of teachers’ salaries. Patrick delivered over 6900 petitions to Representative Ott during the press conference and you can still sign by going to http://www.thescea.org/ (click on Rebuild and Restore Teachers Salaries). Click here to watch the press conference.

The Ways and Means Sales and Income Tax Subcommittee met this week to hear testimony on H.4894 (White-Anderson), which provides tuition tax deductions for parents to send their children to private and public schools. Jackie B. Hicks, The SCEA President was one of several people who testified against this voucher bill and the negative impact it will have on the children of our state. She specifically pointed out that the bill left out private school discrimination against children with learning disabilities. After no testimony was presented in support of this legislation, the committee voted 4-1 to give the bill a Favorable report. Rep. Lonnie Hosey (Barnwell) provided the only vote against this voucher bill. H.4894 will be heard next in the Full Ways and Means Committee.

In a great move for increasing civic participation, H.4549 (Clemmons-Horry) was returned to the House Judiciary committee this week-effectively defeating the bill. This bill would have required anyone not registering an immediate family member or who works for the election commissions, to become a third-party voter registration organization. High school Government teachers would have had to file with the State Election Commission and could have faced penalties from $50 up to 1000 for not turning in voter registration applications within 48 hours. South Carolina Government teachers register over 18,000 students to vote every year! Rep. Karl Allen (Greenville) led the floor effort to stop this bill from passing.

Committee reports:
Senate Education Subcommittee
S.1199 – joint resolution (Regulation 4199) Adult Education, Favorable
S.604 (Fair-Greenville) - prohibits the State Department of Education from implementing the Common Core standards, Continue
H.3028 (Clemmons- Horry) - extends teacher induction period to three years, Returned to Subcommittee
H.3164 (Young-Aiken) – requires suspension of driver’s licenses from high school dropouts, Favorable

Introduced this week:
S.1297 (Hayes-York) – public school choice
H.4904 (Bingham-Lexington) – joint resolution that suspends the requirement for printed school district report cards
H.4905 (Bingham-Lexington) – joint resolution that requires local school districts to notify teachers of their employment by May 15 for the 2012-13 school year

Bills still in the spotlight:
H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville) - government restructuring bill which creates a new cabinet agency, Department of Administration (DOA) and the S.C. Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). PEBA will provide stability for the SC Retirement System (SCRS) and the health insurance system (House floor debate week of March 6-8)

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week

64% of South Carolina residents oppose the use of taxpayer money to pay for private school education.

Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, 3/11

ACTION FOR THE WEEK…
Good start on restoring and rebuilding teacher salaries!
Contact members of the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee and thank them for their increase in base student costs to $2012 and the increase of 2% for all school district employees!

The SCEA had a successful start to its “rebuild and restore teacher salaries campaign” this week with our Advocacy Day on Wednesday, February 22. On the same day, we reinforced our message with the distribution of apples to all of the members of the General Assembly. The apples contained a label that stated “Restore and rebuild teacher salaries”.

1. Click here to contact the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee.

2. Type in Subject Line – Good start on restoring and rebuilding teacher salaries!

3. Type in the Text Box- Thank you for making an investment in our children’s future. The increase in base student costs and increase in school district employee salaries demonstrate that we are moving in the right direction. We appreciate your support.

The SCEA is supporting a grass roots effort lead by Charleston County teacher Patrick Hayes calling for the restoration of teachers salary. Patrick has started an online petition which you can sign by going to http://www.thescea.org/ and clicking on Rebuild and Restore Teachers Salaries. The SCEA is also supporting a press conference being held at the Statehouse by Patrick Hayes and House Minority Leader Harry Ott on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 9:30 am.

The Legislative Update –Week 7, February 21-23, 2012

The Ways and Means Committee completed its work on a $6.5 billion general fund budget for 2012-13 this week. Besides the pay increases for teachers and state employees, also included are:

• $152 million increase for K-12 education
• suspension of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) to new participants
• 5% pay increase for law enforcement
• restrictions on school distance employees furloughs with the exception for mid-year budget cuts
• removal of the use of teacher supply funds to save jobs
• ability for CATE instructors to purchase consumables (i.e. food for Culinary Arts classes)

The 2012-13 budget will be debated on the House floor the week of March 13-15.

The SCEA was also prepared this week to be the only education group that continues to oppose H.3028 (Clemmons-Horry). Last year we testified against this bill, which will increase the teacher induction period to three years from one. We feel strongly that this extension will have a negative impact on teacher recruitment. However, no opposition testimony was heard and the bill passed the Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee.

Committee reports:
Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
S.604 (Fair-Greenville) - prohibits the State Department of Education from implementing the Common Core standards, Unfavorable
H.3028 (Clemmons- Horry) - extends teacher induction period to three years, Favorable

Introduced this week:
H.4894 (White-Anderson) – provides tuition tax deduction for attendance in private and public schools

Bills still in the spotlight:
H.4549 (Clemmons-Horry) - requires anyone not registering an immediate family member or who works for the election commissions, to become a third-party voter registration organization (House floor debate week of February 28-March 1)

H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville) - government restructuring bill which creates a new cabinet agency, Department of Administration (DOA) and the S.C. Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). PEBA will provide stability for the SC Retirement System (SCRS) and the health insurance system (House floor debate week of February 28-March 1)

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week

South Carolina AP participation improving
South Carolina boasted nine districts in which 30 percent or more of the class of 2011 participated in at least one AP exam, up from seven districts in 2010.

S.C. Department of Education, 2/14/12

ACTION FOR THE WEEK…
Stop the attack on democracy! Contact members of the House of Representatives concerning H.4549 (Clemmons-Horry). This bill will require anyone not registering an immediate family member or who doesn't work for the election commissions, to become a third-party voter registration organization. High school Government teachers would now have to file with the State Election Commission and would face penalties from $50 up to $1000 for not turning in voter registration applications within 48 hours. South Carolina Government teachers register over 18,000 students to vote every year! This bill will be debated starting Tuesday, February 21.

1. Click here to find your House member

2. Click here to send them a message

3. Type in Subject Line – Stop the attack on democracy! Please vote against H.4549.


4. Type in the Text Box- South Carolina Government teachers register over 18,000 students to vote every year! H.4549 would mandate unnecessary restrictions on increasing civic participation. Please vote against this bill. Thank you for your support.

The Legislative Update –Week 6, February 14-16, 2012

By a vote of 40-0, the Senate gave third reading to H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville) the government restructuring bill. This bill creates a new cabinet agency, Department of Administration (DOA)-abolishing the current Budget and Control Board (BCB). Most of the functions of the current BCB will be transferred to DOA. The SCEA, Retired State Employees and S.C. State Employees Association were successful during this process in providing stability for its members through the creation of the S.C. Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA).

PEBA will be a separate authority comprised of the employee insurance division and the retirement systems division, with a nine member governing body. The appointments for the governing board will be as follows:
• Governor(3)
• President Pro Tempore(2-one active or retired member of PORS, one retired member of SCRS)
• Speaker of the House (2-one active member of SCRS, one employee of public school district)
• Senate Finance Chairman(1)
• Ways and Means Chairman(1)
The bill now heads back to the House of Representatives and if passed, all changes will become effective July 1, 2012.

The House of Representatives was on furlough this week.

Committee reports:
Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
S.604 (Fair-Greenville) - prohibits the State Department of Education from implementing the Common Core standards, Carried over to 2/23/12

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week

South Carolina graduation rate improving
South Carolina’s overall on-time graduation rate was 73.6 percent in 2011, an improvement over the graduation rate of 72.1 percent in 2010.

News Channel 7 (Greenville, SC)-11/10/11

ACTION ALERT!

The House Ways and Means Committee will be meeting next week to complete the budget before it goes to the House floor the week of March 12-16. Now is the time to get a teacher pay increase! Contact the Ways and Means committee today.

Click here to contact the House Ways and Means Committee.

Subject line: Rebuild teacher salaries
Text box: After years of struggle with a poor economy, the State of South Carolina now has a billion dollar surplus. It must use that money to restore and rebuild teacher salaries, and here’s why:
For the four years between 2008 and 2011, teachers were told the economy required that they take temporary pay-cuts. Across the state, teachers were furloughed, had their salaries frozen, were denied raises and cost-of-living increases. This foolish disinvestment in education dooms our state’s economy for years into the future. We call on honest legislators who truthfully said they believed the economy required teachers to take temporary pay cuts to now change course, just as the economy has. Thanks for your support.

The Legislative Update –Week 5, February 7-9, 2012

The House Ways and Means Proviso Subcommittee met this week to review budget provisos from all of its committees. The role of the Proviso Subcommittee is to review and approve all budget provisos before the full Ways and Means Committee meets on the budget. The provisos that are fund-related will be carried over until the full Ways and Means Committee meeting and includes provisos that determine base student costs (bsc), teacher salary freezes and teacher supply funds. Based on this week’s meeting, the amendment to Proviso 1A.19 (recommends deleting grievance rights for teachers during the reconstitution process) has been deleted.

This week the House of Representatives is on furlough.

Before leaving on the break, by a vote of 70-19 the House passed the anti-labor bill, H.4652 (Sandifer-Oconee). This bill restricts the role that labor unions have including listing membership rosters and financial statements. The SCEA opposes this legislation.

On the agenda for their return, the House of Representatives will next debate H.4549 (Clemmons-Horry). This bill develops penalties for third-party voter registration organizations. The SCEA opposes this bill because of the negative impact it has on voter participation and plans to participate in voter registration efforts for educators.

The House Ways and Means Ad Hoc Retirement Subcommittee met this week to review information from the S.C. Retirement System (SCRS). At this meeting, the subcommittee agreed to the following:
• Change Average Final Compensation (AFC) to the last five years of compensation from three
• Maintain 28 year retirement for current employees
• Require new hires to obtain 30 years and 62 years of age for full retirement benefits
• Develop triggers for 1% Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for retirees
The subcommittee adjourned with the call for additional information from SCRS.

The Senate voted this week to terminate the Budget and Control Board in its adoption of an amendment in H.3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville). This Department of Administration bill is in its fourth week of debate with many amendments pending. The SCEA is continuing its support of amendments that create stability for the retirement system and insurance benefits through a separate authority for oversight.

Committee reports:
House Education and Public Works Committee
H.4690 (Owens, Pickens) – “Jason Flatt Act” which provides teacher training on suicide awareness and prevention-Favorable
Regulation #4199- Adult Education Program name change to Office of Adult Education-Favorable
Regulation #4200- End of Course tests creates an exception for end-of- course testing- Favorable
Regulation #4208- At-risk students changes department of education name to SCDE, SASI to Powerschool-Favorable

Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
H.3164 (Young, Aiken) – suspends driving privileges for high school dropout of school-Favorable
Regulation #4198- Accreditation criteria for public schools and districts-Carried over
Regulation #4201- Gifted and talented - Favorable
Regulation #4206- Credential classification-Favorable
Regulation #4207- Additional areas of teacher certification-Favorable

Introduced this week:
H.4764 (Putnam-Greenville)-allows students with 10 unexcused absences to qualify for graduation and grade advancement

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week
SCDE Nominates Five Schools for National Blue Ribbon Recognition

Five schools from across the state will be nominated for recognition in the 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. The program, run by the U.S. Department of Education, honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.
The nominees are:
• Hammond Hill Elementary, Aiken County School District
• Forestbrook Elementary, Horry County School District
• Oak Grove Elementary, Lexington School District One
• South Kilbourne Elementary, Richland School District One
• Marrington Middle, Berkeley County School District
Source: SCDE

The Legislative Update –Week 4, January 31- February 2, 2012

The House Ways and Means Public Education and Special Schools Subcommittee met this week to review budget provisos from the South Carolina Department of Education and Education Oversight Committee. While the committee carried over the provisos that depended on funding, it did take action on several that are of vital importance to educators.

Proviso
1.24 Raised requirement to 550 on each section of SAT for entrance to undergraduate education programs Withdrawn

1.26 Broaden definition of assessment preparation for evaluation to include SAT, ACT, WorkKeys, GED, AP and IB Adopted

1.35 Required 48 hour posting on website for school board meeting notifications and minutes posted within five days Carried over

1.36 Priority given to laid-off state employees in the Program for Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) Deleted
1.56 Recommended deletion of $800,000 grant for national certification Carried over

1.61 Virtual school option for Resident Treatment Facility (RTF) students Carried over

1.68 Penalties for school districts not listing administrative costs on websites Carried over

1A.13 Suspends new applicants for the National Board Certified Teachers Program ( NBCT) for fiscal year 2012-13 Adopted

1A.19 Amends school reconstitution requirements and recommends deleting grievance rights for teachers during the process Carried over

This week the Full Ways and Means Committee will review provisos before having a furlough week.

H.3066 (G.Smith-Greenville), the government restructuring bill, is still being debated in the Senate with no action again this week due to the absence of Sen. Glenn McConnell, President Pro Tempore. However, a new amendment, Sheheen-Massey-Davis, was introduced that maintains the creation of a separate agency for the S.C. Retirement System and Employee Insurance Programs. This amendment may replace the original Sheheen-Massey amendment and a separate agency for these functions is still the goal of The SCEA. Also included in this amendment are provisions for handling state procurement and bond indebtness.

State Treasurer Curtis Loftis testified at the Senate Subcommittee on Retirement last week to express his concerns on the S.C. Retirement Investment Commission. This group is charged with making the investment decisions for the S.C. Retirement System. He stated that the portfolio of investments for South Carolina was significantly different than most other retirement systems, returns were lower than the average and the fees paid to those helping to invest the funds were too high. The controversy between Loftis and the Investment Commission has taken another turn with the Investment Commission asking SLED to investigate Mallory Factor. Mr. Factor is an associate of Treasurer Loftis and is being accused of having inappropriate conversations with investment firms concerning South Carolina’s investments.

Committee reports:
House K-12 Education Subcommittee
H.4690 (Owens, Pickens) – “Jason Flatt Act” which provides teacher training on suicide awareness and prevention-Favorable
Regulation #4199- Adult Education Program name change to Office of Adult Education-Favorable
Regulation #4200- End of Course tests creates an exception for end-of- course testing- Favorable
Regulation #4208- At-risk students changes department of education name to SCDE, SASI to Powerschool-Favorable

Introduced this week:
S.1173 (S. Martin-Spartanburg)-requires all school buses to have first aid kits and requires school bus drivers to complete a first aid course before certification
S.1176 (Courson-Richland)-relates to property taxes
H.4709 (G.R. Smith-Greenville)-limits 2012-13 General Fund appropriations to February 2011 estimates

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week
South Carolina ranked 3rd in the nation with the number of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT)-8,142.

Source: National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) 2011

ACTION FOR THE WEEK…
Contact House Ways and Means Committee members for an increase in the base student cost (bsc). The currently bsc is $1880, which is the 1995 funding level. While no increase in the base student cost (bsc) was requested by the State Superintendent of Education, this committee can provide an increase.

1. Click here to send Ways and Means Committee members a message

2. Type in Subject Line – Give South Carolina children a chance for success

3. Type in the Text Box- Education is the key to success and our children deserve the best. We can’t prepare students for the 21st century with 1995 levels of funding. Please increase the base student cost and give our children a chance for a brighter future. Thank you for your support.

The Legislative Update –Week 3, January 24-26, 2012

The House Ways and Means Legislative, Executive and Local Government Subcommittee met this week to hear budget requests from the following agencies:
• Employee Insurance Program
• S.C. Retirement System
• S.C. Retirement Investment Commission

The Employee Insurance Program presented several cost scenarios for its budget request. A request was made for $44.87 million to cover the employer share with employees paying 4.67% of the costs and $50 million if the employer paid the entire costs. It was stated that Governor Haley’s executive budget included the shared planned with the $44.87 million cost. The Employee Insurance Program plan covers 235,000 active and retired participants.

The S.C. Retirement System (SCRS) did not request an increase in their budget and indicated the increase in the employer contribution to 10.6% would take effect July 1, 2012.

The S.C. Retirement Investment Commission, which handles the investments for the SCRS, requested $18.9 million. This funding is being requested to hire 35 additional staffers and to cover additional technology needs. In additional, the commission is currently preparing to hire a new Chief Investment Officer due to the resignation of Bob Borden in December. The commission plans to complete the hiring process by July.

H.3066 (G.Smith-Greenville), the government restructuring bill, is still being debated in the Senate with no action this week because of the absence of Sen. Glenn McConnell, President Pro Tempore. However, upon his anticipated return next week, the Sheheen-Massey amendment will be up for a vote. The SCEA supports this amendment because it creates a separate agency for the S.C. Retirement System and Employee Insurance Programs. (See Action for the Week)

Committee reports:
Senate K-12 Education Subcommittee
S.107 (Verdin-Laurens), removes time restraints for seniors taking the GED exam-Carried over
S.511 (Knotts-Lexington), prohibits 8th grade students from participating in competitive cheerleading-Carried over
S.1001 (L.Martin-Pickens), allows access to interscholastic activities for military children not living with their parents-Favorable
Regulation 4199-Office of Adult and Community Education changed to Office of Adult Education-Favorable
Regulation 4200-Establishes Biology 1 as a gateway course and eliminates second test for students who take two courses based on the same academic standards-Favorable
Regulation 4208-At-Risk Students, corrects acronyms in the statue (i.e. PACT to PASS, etc.)-Favorable

House Education and Public Works Transportation and Roadways Subcommittee
H.4451 (Bowen-Anderson) Use of cell phone while driving-Adjourned debate

House Judiciary Committee
H.3130 (Brady-Richland) Create the offense of sexting-returned to subcommittee

Introduced this week:
S.1132 (Cleary-Georgetown)-allows U.S. flag to be displayed on front of school buses
S.1148 (Hayes-York)-“Jason Flatt Act” which provides teacher training on suicide awareness and prevention (same as H.4690-Owens, Pickens)
S.1152 (Cleary-Georgetown)-“Give Kids a Smile Day” February as national children dentistry month
H.4644 (Clyburn-Aiken)-prohibits smoking in a car with a preschool children
H.4645 (Clyburn-Aiken)-requires every school district to have a bullying advisory council
H.4671 (Huggins-Lexington)-requires high schools to teach “founding philosophy and principles”

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week
Teacher salaries in South Carolina ranked 9th out of the 16 states in the southeast region.
Source: Southern Regional Education Board

ACTION FOR THE WEEK…
Support the Sheheen-Massey amendment

1. Click here to find your senator

2. Click here to contact your senator

3. Type in Subject Line – Support the Sheheen-Massey amendment

4. Type in the Text Box- Please protect our retirement systems and insurance plans from political instability by supporting the Sheheen-Massey amendment. This amendment creates a separate agency for these important functions. Thank you for support.

It’s not too late to attend…
21st Century Teaching - Connecting the Teacher to Technology
The South Carolina Education Association Children's Foundation is hosting Michelle Shearer, 2012 National Teacher of the Year and Patti Tate, South Carolina's 2012 Teacher of the Year at our Annual Teacher Conference – Saturday, February 11, 2012. In addition to these keynote speakers, we will conduct 24 different technology sessions. Presenters are nationally acclaimed as well as representatives of the teaching community in South Carolina. Visit our website at www.thescea.org to see the listing of sessions and to register on line.

Legislative Update –Week 2, January 17-19, 2012

Legislative Update –Week 1, January 10-12, 2012

The second session of the 119^th General Assembly started on Tuesday, January 10 with a fast pace- an increased threat for privatization of employee benefits, the introduction of two voucher bills and no request for a teacher salary increase from the State Superintendent of Education!

Because of your support in contacting members of the Senate, efforts to amend H. 3066 (G.R. Smith-Greenville) have been postponed for at least another week.  This bill will create a new Department of Administration under the direct control of the Governor. Last year, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Sheheen/Massey amendment which creates a separate governing structure for retirement and health insurance.  The SCEA continues to support and will fight to keep the Sheheen/Massey amendment to prevent the privatization of employee benefits.

The use of taxpayer funds to support private schools is the focus of H.4547 (White-Anderson) and H.4576 (Bedingfield-Greenville).  While no cost analysis has been performed, these bills will cause a drain on K-12 public education that was funded at 1995 levels in the current budget.  With your help, we were able to defeat a similar effort last year, which would have cost the state $64 million per year.  We will need your continued support to protect and defend public education from these constant attacks.

Also this week, State Superintendent of Education Mick Zais appeared before the House Ways and Means K-12 Subcommittee to review his budget request for 2012-13.  During this meeting, Superintendent Zais did not request an increase in the base student cost –which is needed for raises in teacher salaries.  He stated that his goals for the next school year were to find cost savings, direct more funds to the classroom and push for school district flexibility.  

Included in his presentation were the following:

·         Requested a$5M increase for school bus fuel

·         Requested $36M for new school buses

·         Requested $14M to maintain base student cost at the current $1880 level

·         Recommended removing the suspension of instructional materials purchases

·         Advocated closing the National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) program

Click here to obtain more information on the budget request from the State Department of Education.

http://ed.sc.gov/agency/lpa/documents/SCDE_WaysAndMeansLetter_011012.PDF

Remember to use http://www.scstatehouse.gov/ for more information on a bill.

Education Fact of the Week

It is estimated that 699,198 students are attending public schools in South Carolina.

Source: EducationBug.org