Leatherman Praised For Work With Public Education Funding

Filed Under Caucus, Leatherman

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, I take great pride in carefully reviewing each and every item that comes before the Senate for state funding. One thing that I believe in very strongly is public education. Public education is so very important because it helps to build a strong foundation for the future.

One of my Senate colleagues, Senator John Courson, who is chairman of the Senate Education Committee, recently wrote an article which appeared in The State newspaper, touting the successes of public education in this year’s state budget.

The State Newspaper

August 22, 2007

Written by: Sen. John Courson

“. Senate Finance Chairman Hugh Leatherman was a tremendous advocate in the Senate’s successful effort to put education and taxpayers first. That funding - $3.3 billion - represents a wise investment in the lives of our future leaders, paying for a number of important new and expanded programs that will positively affect K-12.
Among them:

. A 15-year school bus replacement cycle was adopted, along with the initial purchase of 551 new school buses.

. Every public elementary school will now be able to afford a school nurse.

. Teacher salaries will continue to be, on average, $300 above the Southeastern average, and the highly successful National Board Certified Teacher Program was fully funded.

. The Education Economic Development Act’s model dropout prevention programs will be expanded, with additional high school guidance specialists hired.

. Early childhood education was funded through the 4K Child Development Education Pilot Program and the First Steps to School Readiness program.

. The Education Finance Act was substantially increased, and the Education Improvement Act funding was increased for summer school, technical assistance and student assessment.

. The S.C. Virtual School Program was established after a successful pilot program and will receive funding for teachers, staff, curriculum development, course materials and technology.

The Palmetto State’s 33 public colleges and universities are receiving substantial state funding and scholarship appropriations, as well. This mitigates the need for massive tuition increases . Funding for the Allied Health Initiative will help address our nursing and health care shortages . Scholarship funding was increased dramatically, which demonstrates the success of our plan to encourage our best and brightest to choose in-state institutions of higher learning . We also enhanced the monetary value of scholarships for students majoring in science, math, engineering and health care.”