COLUMBIA, S.C. — Private School Vouchers on the Legislative Agenda
Private school vouchers are once again being considered by the South Carolina legislature, with indications that they may be at the forefront of the 2025 session. State Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey announced that the focus will begin with Education Scholarship Accounts, an initiative aimed at addressing a recent ruling by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Background of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision in September declared it unconstitutional to use public funds for private or religious schools. In response to this ruling, a new bill was pre-filed last week, seeking to utilize lottery funds instead of general funds to support the proposed voucher system. However, opposition from educational associations suggests that the proposed changes may still violate the state constitution.
Opposition to the Voucher System
Sherry East, the President of the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA), stressed the clarity of the constitution, saying, “The Constitution is clear. It says in the South Carolina constitution that you cannot use public funds for private or religious schools.” East highlighted that the SCEA, alongside the NAACP, successfully led a lawsuit against the earlier legislation, which the court ruled in their favor with a 3-2 decision.
However, with a change in the composition of the Supreme Court, East expressed concern about the potential for a different outcome. “We’re very concerned now that the courts have changed,” she noted, adding uncertainty about how future litigation might unfold.
Intentions Behind Voucher Program
Senator Massey stated that the proposed vouchers are aimed at helping lower-income students. He remarked, “What we’ve really been focused on are poor children who are stuck in schools that are consistently underperforming.” The hope is that students in under-resourced schools will benefit from new educational opportunities.
Financial Viability of Vouchers
Despite the intentions behind the proposal, East expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the vouchers in providing real options for families. “Four thousand dollars toward a $15,000 tuition is not going to get you in private school,” she argued, suggesting that this approach may simply benefit families already enrolled in private institutions rather than genuinely assisting lower-income students.
Legislative Developments and Future Actions
In a separate development, a senator from the Charleston area has proposed a bill that aims to completely eliminate the part of the state constitution that prohibits public funds from being used for private education. This goes a step further in the ongoing debate over the future of education funding in the state.
As new legislation is prepared, it is expected to move quickly through the Republican supermajority in the legislature. Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the statehouse on January 14, 2025, when these discussions will intensify.
The debates surrounding this issue are crucial, as they will impact educational funding, choice, and accessibility for the state’s students. The ongoing dialogue between the legislature and education advocates continues to shape the landscape of South Carolina’s educational opportunities.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
