School forgiveness legislation one step closer to Senate approval

Legislation forgiving recent school cancellations statewide due to inclement weather moved one step closer to reality Wednesday as the State Senate approved the second of three readings.

Although the Senate was unable to take a third reading Thursday, it is expected to occur when the Senate reconvenes March 17.

“The House would have to agree to a couple of amendments,” said State Sen. Thomas Alexander, who represents Oconee County and a portion of Pickens County. The primary amendment, offered by State Sen. Brad Hutto, of Orangeburg, would waive up to three missed school days throughout the state for any reason as determined by the local school districts.

Ironically, Hutto then voted against his own amendment that passed by a 37-3 voice vote. The other amendment attached to the bill is one Alexander said was more technical in nature.

School districts throughout the state cancelled classes last week for anywhere from one to three days. Although inclement weather makeup days are typically built into school calendars, legislators have urged they be forgiven this year due to the state budget crunch.

Should the Senate give final approval to the bill, the House won’t take action for at least another two weeks. After approving its version of the FY 2010 budget, house members adjourned three days of meetings and won’t return until March 24 since they are taking next week off for furlough purposes.

“Those amendments still have to be agreed to by the House and they will have to be taken up before they can be passed,” Alexander said.

But Alexander called Wednesday’s vote “a major step, a major hurdle” in assisting school districts.

“Given these difficult economic times, I think it’s good policy to assist the school district in this regard,” he said.

State Sen. Larry Martin, of Pickens, said the General Assembly was within its rights to waive the three school days since such policy had been enacted long ago. Should the House approve the amended legislation, Martin said it would go to a conference committee and then Gov. Mark Sanford for his signature.

“If he vetoes it, it could be the middle of next month (before action is taken to override his veto) since the House is going to take the week before Easter and week after Easter (for another furlough),” Martin said. “But it could still take place through local legislation.”

On the issue of funding flexibility for local school districts, Martin said a Senate Finance Subcommittee will now hear the issue next week instead of Wednesday as originally scheduled.

“They (subcommittee) will take it up next Tuesday and the full committee by Tuesday afternoon,” he said. “It should be out on the floor Wednesday and taken up for consideration (by the full Senate) next Thursday. We should know something by the end of next week.”

upstatetoday.com

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