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South Carolina Supreme Court Strikes Down School Voucher Program

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News Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court has ruled that the state’s school voucher program violates the constitution by using public funds for private education. This 3-2 decision affects nearly 2,880 students, leaving families uncertain about their educational options. Governor Henry McMaster is seeking a rehearing, but legislative leaders doubt its effectiveness. Parents are distressed over losing financial support for private school tuition, while affected schools are exploring ways to retain students. The Roman Catholic Diocese has initiated a relief fund to assist impacted families as the state prepares to address the situation in January.

Columbia, South Carolina – On September 11, 2024, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the state’s school voucher program, which provided taxpayer-funded scholarships for private school tuition, violates the state constitution’s prohibition on public funds benefiting private education. The 3-2 decision came shortly after the start of the school year and has left approximately 2,880 students and their families in a state of uncertainty regarding their educational options.

Governor Henry McMaster has requested a rehearing of the arguments concerning the voucher program, expressing hope that the court will reconsider its decision. However, legislative leaders have suggested that such a request is unlikely to change the outcome of the ruling.

While parents were initially informed that they would still receive their quarterly allotment of $1,500, they have been told that these funds cannot be used for private school tuition. Instead, the money can be utilized for other educational expenses such as tutoring, speech therapy, textbooks, or public school tuition outside their district.

The school voucher program was originally designed to assist low-income families, specifically targeting those whose income did not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level, which is $62,400 for a family of four. The program’s design included plans to expand the income limit to 400% of the poverty level in its third year.

Parents reliant on the program, such as Brittany Almeida and Maria Valenzuela, have expressed significant distress over the financial implications of the ruling, as they were counting on the vouchers to help cover tuition costs for their children attending private institutions. The abrupt change has forced many families to consider alternative solutions, potentially expanding their work hours or seeking additional job opportunities to maintain their children’s education.

Schools that accepted students through the voucher program are also facing challenges. Many institutions have communicated their intention to explore options for keeping students enrolled despite the financial strain caused by the loss of voucher funds. In response to the crisis, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston has established the St. Rita Relief Fund, aiming to raise approximately $975,000 to support students affected by the court’s decision.

The Supreme Court’s ruling has introduced immediate complications, particularly for families who depend on specialized educational services often available at private schools. The uncertainty regarding the future of their children’s education is creating additional stress for these parents, who had counted on the financial assistance provided by the vouchers.

Legislative leaders have reiterated their commitment to addressing school choice when the Legislature reconvenes in January, acknowledging the need for solutions to help affected students and their families. However, it remains unclear what form this assistance will take, as the state grapples with the implications of the court’s decision.

The initial intent behind the school voucher program was to provide educational opportunities for students from lower-income backgrounds, aiming to improve access to quality education. However, with the current ruling and the subsequent reaction from both parents and educational institutions, the pathway forward remains fraught with challenges.

As families and schools confront the changes brought on by the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision, the focus now shifts to how the state will respond in the coming months and what measures will be implemented to ensure that the educational needs of students are met without compromising their future opportunities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

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Additional Resources

HERE Charleston
Author: HERE Charleston

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