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Committee flags prefiled state bill that could steer public funds to private and charter schools
Summary
During the Feb. 26 meeting a committee speaker described a prefiled bill portrayed in the transcript as aiming to change the South Carolina Constitution to allow public funding for private and charter schools; the committee noted supporters and urged wider local awareness.
A staff member at the Beaufort County Board of Education legislative committee meeting on Feb. 26 flagged a prefiled state bill he said would change the South Carolina Constitution to permit public money for private and charter schools.
The staff member told the committee he had reviewed prefiled House bills and said, "there's one proposed by a legislator that is proposing that the constitution of the state of South Carolina be overturned to allow public money to unabashedly fund private and charter schools." Members in the meeting named Shannon Erickson as a supporter associated with the House Education Committee context.
Board members responded that many community supporters of public education were not widely aware of the proposal and emphasized the need to inform local networks. Ingrid Boatwright said public‑education supporters "had no idea" about the bill and suggested the committee use its outreach channels — churches, civic groups and community organizations — to raise awareness.
The meeting did not take a formal position. Staff said it will continue screening prefiled bills and put relevant items on the March 12 agenda for further review. The transcript records names of legislators cited by participants but does not include bill numbers or the text of the measure.
