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Trooper gets radio logs for defense
8/27/2008 9:18 PM -
S.C. Rep. says U.S. needs diplomacy
8/27/2008 9:13 PM -
Woman shoots self while in hospital
8/27/2008 9:08 PM -
Judge to allow cameras for murder sentencing
8/27/2008 9:03 PM -
Public defender to handle fraud appeal
8/27/2008 9:03 PM -
$30M tourist attractions planned for S.C. Upstate
8/27/2008 8:12 PM -
ACLU asks for independent prisons audit
8/26/2008 9:29 PM -
Tornado touches down in Clemson
8/26/2008 9:29 PM -
Charleston Rotary to host candidate
8/26/2008 9:29 PM -
State news in brief for Aug. 26
8/25/2008 9:30 PM
Local
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Chase video scheduled to be released
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Area leaders examine the State of the County
8/27/2008 9:28 PM
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Mounted Patrol plays important role in city
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Cub Scouting adventures begin tonight with sign-ups at Weeks Activities Center
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Threat of severe weather from tropical depression passes
8/27/2008 8:57 PM
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Third-party candidate Baldwin campaigns in Aiken
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Ryberg: Intent of law was violated
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Embers bring beach music Friday
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Concert will support scholarships, bring relief to USC Aiken students
8/27/2008 7:41 PM
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Scouts looking for new members
8/27/2008 8:30 AM
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Troopers reach out past state borders
8/26/2008 9:07 PM
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City man charged with gun violations
8/26/2008 9:07 PM
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Bridgestone celebrates first decade
8/26/2008 9:12 PM
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South Aiken, Aiken seniors exceed national SAT averages
8/26/2008 9:13 PM
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Schools roll out red carpet awards
8/26/2008 9:13 PM
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Irish gospel star Robin Mark to perform free concert here
8/26/2008 9:18 PM
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ACP sets auditions
8/26/2008 9:18 PM
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Reunions for Aug. 27
8/26/2008 9:18 PM
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Police watch for vandalism as rivals' game approaches
8/26/2008 9:02 PM
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Two weeks after his acquittal, man again arrested
8/26/2008 9:02 PM
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County considers shelter expansion
8/26/2008 9:02 PM
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Loaned executives help bring professional clout to United Way
8/25/2008 8:46 PM
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Local news in brief for Aug. 26
8/25/2008 8:46 PM
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Officer cleared after fatal pursuit
8/25/2008 8:33 PM
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Vote on GVW today
8/25/2008 8:33 PM
Smith will serve on educational funds study
7/12/2008 1:07 AM
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By ROB NOVIT
Senior writer
State lawmakers have to look at education funding and figure out how to make it more equitable, said S.C. Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville.
Earlier this year, Smith was appointed to an education funding study committee by House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
Members met briefly during the legislative session, Smith said, but will now meet more formally at the Sol Blatt building in Columbia on Tuesday, July 22.
"I absolutely wanted to be a part of this," Smith said. "We've got several pots of money - the Education Finance Act, the Education Improvement Act and later the Education Accountability Act. A lot of rural districts are underfunded, and there's no doubt the funding isn't getting into the classroom. But obviously, my goal also is to protect Aiken County during this process."
Over the years, Aiken County School District board members and administrators have expressed concerns that the School Board didn't have a property tax rate that was in balance with taxpayers' ability to pay. Since 2007, property taxes for owner-occupied residences have been eliminated, with the state increasing the sales tax as an alternative source.
Revenue shortfalls, however, led to some budget reductions this year, and Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt said recently that 2009-10 could be even more difficult financially.
Smith reiterated that he wants to assist the poorest counties as much as possible but not at the expense of the larger school districts.
"Any additional funding has to be additional," he said. "We're not going to rob Peter to pay Paul. I can't afford to see my county lose revenue."
State Superintendent Dr. Jim Rex has identified school funding reform as the key issue he wants to the S.C. General Assembly to tackle in 2009.
Rex should have input with the House committee, and Smith said he will insist on it if necessary.
The committee meeting is scheduled at the Blatt building in room 521, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. The members are scheduled to submit a report in November.
In a press release from the S.C. House, Smith said, "We need to make sure our children have the proper tools and are given every opportunity possible they need to succeed.
"The work this committee will accomplish will be vital to the future education funding for our schools and students in South Carolina," he said.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
7/12/2008 1:07 AM
0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friendBy ROB NOVIT
Senior writer
State lawmakers have to look at education funding and figure out how to make it more equitable, said S.C. Rep. Roland Smith, R-Warrenville.
Earlier this year, Smith was appointed to an education funding study committee by House Speaker Bobby Harrell.
Members met briefly during the legislative session, Smith said, but will now meet more formally at the Sol Blatt building in Columbia on Tuesday, July 22.
"I absolutely wanted to be a part of this," Smith said. "We've got several pots of money - the Education Finance Act, the Education Improvement Act and later the Education Accountability Act. A lot of rural districts are underfunded, and there's no doubt the funding isn't getting into the classroom. But obviously, my goal also is to protect Aiken County during this process."
Over the years, Aiken County School District board members and administrators have expressed concerns that the School Board didn't have a property tax rate that was in balance with taxpayers' ability to pay. Since 2007, property taxes for owner-occupied residences have been eliminated, with the state increasing the sales tax as an alternative source.
Revenue shortfalls, however, led to some budget reductions this year, and Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt said recently that 2009-10 could be even more difficult financially.
Smith reiterated that he wants to assist the poorest counties as much as possible but not at the expense of the larger school districts.
"Any additional funding has to be additional," he said. "We're not going to rob Peter to pay Paul. I can't afford to see my county lose revenue."
State Superintendent Dr. Jim Rex has identified school funding reform as the key issue he wants to the S.C. General Assembly to tackle in 2009.
Rex should have input with the House committee, and Smith said he will insist on it if necessary.
The committee meeting is scheduled at the Blatt building in room 521, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. The members are scheduled to submit a report in November.
In a press release from the S.C. House, Smith said, "We need to make sure our children have the proper tools and are given every opportunity possible they need to succeed.
"The work this committee will accomplish will be vital to the future education funding for our schools and students in South Carolina," he said.
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Bookings for Aug. 15-21
8/22/2008 9:25 PM
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Bookings for Aug. 8-14
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Bookings for Aug. 2
8/1/2008 5:24 PM
Obituaries
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Cloyd Cartledge Sr.
8/27/2008 8:12 PM
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Hazel B. Lilly
8/27/2008 8:11 PM
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Dorathy Lillian Gieselman
8/27/2008 8:11 PM
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Paul Foster
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Albert J. Cave
8/27/2008 8:11 PM
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Robert L. Taylor
8/27/2008 8:06 PM
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Bradford Page
8/26/2008 9:29 PM
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Marian A. Overstreet
8/26/2008 9:29 PM
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Dorathy Lillian Gieselman
8/26/2008 9:24 PM
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Paul Foster
8/26/2008 9:24 PM
Births
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