Subcommittee approves education proviso amendments including $400 teacher supply reimbursement and charter-school accountability changes

The Proviso Subcommittee approved a package of education and higher-education proviso amendments covering teacher supplies, rural teacher recruitment, charter-school accountability, higher-education funding transparency, and other targeted changes.

Representative Whitmire introduced an amendment to allow teachers to receive $400 reimbursement per school year for classroom supplies and to clarify the amount is not to be reported as taxable income or withheld from salary. "This provides, though, allows for teachers to receive $400 reimbursement each school year for school supplies. Reimbursement is not to be considered taxable income," Representative Whitmire said. The amendment passed on voice vote.

The committee also approved a proviso establishing the South Carolina Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement to focus on recruiting and retaining classroom educators in rural and underserved districts; the amendment restricts program funds from being used…