Education proposal shot down in budget debate

The House has rejected two education-related amendments to the state budget.

The first would cap bonuses given to nationally board-certified teachers at 10 years. The second would provide a cash reward to students who finish high school early.

Kershaw Rep. Bill Cotty, sponsor of the amendment to cap payments to nationally board certified teachers, said the state could wind up paying the $7,500 bonus to teachers longer than was originally planned. The additional cost to the state budget, Cotty said, would be millions. But the House rejected the amendment 42 to 70.

The second amendment would allow students who graduate high school early to collect a scholarship for their efforts. Those who graduate after their junior year would be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship, while those who finish in December of their senior year would earn a $1,000 scholarship.

Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Richland, the amendment's sponsor, argued the plan would not cost the state any additional money, since the scholarships could be paid for with money already budgeted to educate those same students for the full four years of high school.

"A thousand dollars." Ballentine said. "That will really make me hunker down" as a student.

While many in the House said they liked the idea, most were skeptical of making the change through the budget. In addition, Ways and Means chairman Dan Cooper, R-Anderson, said he did not know the price tag of the program.

The House voted to kill the proposal, 66-42.