Incoming, outgoing school chiefs differ on bailout Accelerated Learning Resources

Incoming, outgoing school chiefs differ on bailout

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The administration of South Carolina’s incoming education superintendent says the state’s failure to land $143 million in federal money may not harm classrooms.

But the outgoing schools chief forecasts it could lead to difficult days.

Mick Zais is the Republican who replaces Democrat Jim Rex next month. Zais transition chief Jay Ragley says school districts have reserve funds that can help pay costs. He also says Zais objects to federal mandates on state spending.

But Rex says few districts have extra money. He also says the bailout would have helped districts plan hiring.

Federal money was lost when Congress decided states’ combined spending on both public K-12 schools and colleges couldn’t decrease as a share of the state budget. South Carolina cut college spending.

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