Debate continues after suit filed over controversial Education Scholarship Trust Fund | Opinion
Trust families to use funds
On Oct. 26, the South Carolina Education Association filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Education Scholarship Trust Fund.
Signed into law earlier this year, this program awards eligible low-income families $6,000 per student and empowers them to direct those funds to educational expenses, including textbooks, tutoring, therapies and tuition, at schools that best meet their child’s needs.
The lawsuit explicitly references the state’s “already underperforming public school system.”
And that’s the point.
For generations, most families’ only option has been to send their children to their zoned public school. If that school is not meeting your child’s needs, too bad.
This program empowers families with educational options that their children deserve, and demonstrates that we trust South Carolinian families to make decisions about their children’s education.
These programs are popular: a recent poll revealed that 72% of parents of K-12 students support Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) like this one. And nearly two-thirds of those families believe these programs will improve our nation’s education.
It’s time to move on from tired debates that defend the education of the past while depriving families of options.
The Education Scholarship Trust Fund gives families a say in how – and where – their child is educated.
Andrew Yates, Spartanburg
Public money for private schools?
According to U.S. News & World Report, South Carolina Ranks 42nd nationally in public education.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I would think the “will of the people” is that our legislators take better care of their responsibility to educate our 750,000 schoolchildren before they start siphoning off money for private schools.
Harry Spratlin, Columbia
Support for Sutton
Friends, if you are not sure of your choice to lead Beaufort into what will be a critical period in its life as the anchor of this amazing Lowcountry, then I urge you to meet with, talk to and consider Mike Sutton.
Mike has worked so hard for the city and the area’s well being in the past.
The biggest issue Beaufort faces is how to manage progress.
Do we remove all the barriers to development or do we work with the other local governments and create a unified plan to manage development and control sprawl?
Mike understands Beaufort. Mike has worked for this city on every level from serving as a public servant to being an independent businessman and a concerned citizen.
Northern Beaufort County is at a critical point where preserving and progress clash.
It will take a tough diplomat to set our course into the future.
Having an honest vision of a obtainable future is essential.
Mike is my choice, He should be yours.
Tim Newman, Beaufort
Reduce traffic, share rides
The island commuter traffic is not going to change for five years no matter which construction/repair option is chosen.
It will even get worse due to demolition and construction efforts.
We have to reduce the number of vehicles.
There are two options that can be evaluated with town leadership:
1. Ride- or van-sharing to the major employment centers (resorts, Shelter Cove, Coligny, hospital center area, schools). There are a number of proven solutions (Tripspark, RidePro, etc.) that can match people in residential areas to job locations. The savings to commuters and employers can be used to offset the cost. Do we expand Palmetto Breeze? or a new effort led by employers?
2. For multiple trucks from the same company coming onto the Island? With town leadership, a “Town Service Yard” could be created as a secure facility for overnight vehicle storage. The employers could offset travel cost and wear-and-tear with a storage fee to the town.
Both of these options need collaboration between the town and employers.
There is no easy solution for the next five years other than some form of ride-sharing to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
James DeLong, HHI