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Board raises concerns about vouchers and tax-credit proposals, calls for accountability and parity
Summary
During its April 3 special meeting the Beaufort County Board of Education discussed HB 3422 (tax credits) and SB 39 (Education Scholarship Trust Fund/vouchers), raising concerns about accountability, legal challenges, and possible socioeconomic resegregation; members asked staff to prepare parity and accountability language.
Beaufort County board members spent significant time on proposals tied to school choice, including HB 3422 (tax credits / academic choice tax credits) and SB 39 (a trust fund and voucher-related provisions). Several members warned that tax-credit and voucher measures could divert funds from public schools, trigger legal challenges, and widen socioeconomic disparities.
"If a private school gets a voucher...you're giving public dollars," Speaker 2 said, urging caution and parity in accountability. Other members noted some tax-credit provisions (for exceptional-needs children) have precedent and court history, but the consolidated trust fund and voucher proposals raise different constitutional questions and are already facing litigation in the state courts.
Board members discussed possible formal responses: (1) remain silent on items already signed and under judicial review (SB 39), (2) monitor and review current bill language for HB 3422 and related measures, and (3) prepare recommendations to ask the legislature for parity/accountability measures if tax credits or scholarships expand (for example, requiring comparable testing or reporting for recipients of public dollars).
Next steps: Staff will draft suggested language on parity and accountability and will report back to the board and its lobbyist. The board signaled it may issue a public statement later if court decisions change SB 39's status.
