Columbia, S.C. Supreme Court Ruling Shakes Up Private School Funding for Families

Columbia, S.C. Faces Big Education Changes After Supreme Court Ruling

Columbia, S.C. – In a significant turn of events, the South Carolina Supreme Court recently declared a law that let parents use taxpayer money for private school tuition unconstitutional. The ruling, which was announced on Wednesday, was a close call with a 3-2 vote. Many parents and advocates had high hopes for this law, but they were met with disappointment as the court prohibited the use of “Education Scholarship Trust Funds” for public funds to directly pay private school tuition or fees.

What This Means for Families

This decision does open up some possibilities for families, as parents can still use this money for some indirect educational expenses. This includes things like tutoring, textbooks, and other educational materials. Nearly 3,000 students had already received the scholarship of $1,500 each under the program before the ruling came down. Fortunately, the court will not require parents to give back any funds that were already spent on private school tuition or fees, leaving those families with some financial relief.

Background of the Case

The court’s decision stemmed from a part of the South Carolina constitution that forbids the use of public funds for the advantage of private school systems. The case was argued earlier in March, before the grant funds were distributed. The central argument revolved around whether the program provided a direct benefit to private educational institutions. Justice Gary Hill, who wrote the majority opinion, asserted that any public funding aimed at paying for private school tuition effectively contradicts the intention of the state constitution.

Justice Hill provided some historical context in his opinion, tracing back to 1972 when voters amended the constitution to affirm the right to a free public school education for all children. This amendment was largely a response to prior attempts by state lawmakers to foster segregation in schools. Hill emphasized that while the General Assembly had the ability to draft amendments for funding private schools, they deliberately did not do so. “A parent who chooses to use a scholarship to pay their child’s private school tuition is undoubtedly using public funds to provide a direct benefit to the private school,” wrote Hill.

Voices from Both Sides

The ruling has sparked an array of reactions from various stakeholders. Supporters of the now-overturned law argued that providing funds to a trust meant the money was given to parents, allowing them to choose how to use those funds rather than having the state directly compensate private institutions. Chief Justice John Kittredge, in his dissent, countered this by pointing out what he sees as the broad authority of South Carolina’s legislature to develop policy. He mentioned existing programs where state funds support education, like the lottery-funded college scholarships.

What Lies Ahead

There is still a path for supporters of the overturned law. They may attempt an appeal or consider introducing a constitutional amendment to allow such funding in the future. However, securing majority voter approval could prove challenging. South Carolina’s education landscape has been shifting over the last two decades, with a growing push to allow funding to flow to private institutions.

Republican State Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, described the ruling as devastating for families, highlighting how the scholarship funds previously brought joy to many households. Meanwhile, Governor Henry McMaster expressed intentions to request a review of the ruling, saying it could have “devastating consequences for thousands of low-income families.”

In Conclusion

As Columbia embraces this new chapter in its educational narrative, many parents and schools continue to watch closely. The decision is sure to have ripple effects across the state, impacting thousands of families who were counting on these funds to facilitate their children’s learning experiences. Only time will tell how this will unfold in the legislative arena and how families will respond in the months to come.