For Parents

ALEC gives (not so) Exceptional SC a “D-” for 2018

Permanent Law raises them from an “F” in 2016 & 2017.

Published

1 year ago

November 11, 2019

We are not the only ones that think the nation’s ONLY government run K-12 tax credit scholarship has been a total failure. The national conservative group American Legislative Executive Council (ALEC) has also rated the program a big fat “D-“.

Only “Permanent Law” which was signed on May 18, 2018 raised their grade from an “F” in 2016 & 2017 when the Department of Revenue & (not so) Exceptional SC took over administration of the program from independent non-profits. #FollowTheMoney!!!

Here is the ALEC report card on (not so) Exceptional SC.

And how does (not so) Exceptional SC compare to our neighbors in Georgia? Not so good. The $100 million Georgia program got a “B+”. And what is the main difference? Georgia uses independent non-profits!!!

Remember, South Carolina is the only program in the nation (23 total programs in 18 states) that is government run. All the others are administered by independent non-profits.

As the graph above demonstrates … the exact same South Carolina program got a “B” in 2014 … when the SC program was still a year-by-year budget proviso and run by independent non-profits.

The solution is simple and obvious to everyone … the only question is will legislators finally fix this debacle in the 2020 legislative session? Stay tuned …

For Parents

SC DOR Director Memo – BOARD VIOLATED LAW!!!

Published

2 months ago

March 2, 2021

PALMETTOKIDSFIRST

We exposed these legal violations by the (not so) Exceptional SC Board in February 2020 … raised the ALARM that Chad Connelly was lining his pockets with scholarship funds intended for YOUR CHILDREN … and we now finally have the confirmation of what happened.

We sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the SC Department of Revenue and they provided us with this MEMO from Director Hartley Powell.

It clearly states the LAW …. and confirms that the (not so) Exceptional SC Board was violating the LAW.

Seven days latter … this “resignation” email was sent out by Board Chairman Tom Persons.

We will continue to track and PUSH this issue such that the “misappropriated” money is RETURNED … and the GUILTY PARTIES (which includes the entire BOARD of Exceptional SC) are held accountable.

#ReturnTheMoney!!!

For Parents

H 3899 Bill Filed … a JOKE!!!

Published

2 months ago

February 26, 2021

PALMETTOKIDSFIRST

Well, the legislators leading this fiasco showed their agenda AGAIN last week … and it is NOT ABOUT KIDS!!!

What did they do???

They “rewarded” the (not so) Exceptional SC Board with a QUADRUPLED INCREASE in their Administrative Fees …

And worse … they are removing the LEGISLATIVE APPOINTMENT language so the BOARD WILL BE PERMANENT … and legislators will be able to say “there is nothing we can do”?!?!?!

It is getting to a BREAKING POINT … they are getting DESPERATE … and this bill is perfect evidence of that desperation!!!

And if you think that is all bad … this is a FIRST IN THE NATION …

… they want the SC Department of Education to “donate” $12 MILLION to (not so) Exceptional SC. SAY WHAT???

Read it … it is right there in the title of the bill (picture up top) … or read the bill here

Insanity!!! Another square peg in a round hole. ANYTHING except what every other state does …

#FollowTheMoney!!!

“Who” is behind it?

Rep. Jason Elliott (R – Greenville)

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0529545391

Rep. Shannon Erickson (R – Beaufort)

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0539772663

It is personal folks … and these legislators care more about their personal vendettas and their “monied” SPECIAL INTEREST supporters … than they do about YOUR KIDS!!!

For Parents

SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS UPDATE!!!

Published

2 months ago

February 22, 2021

PALMETTOKIDSFIRST

Well, we are getting reports from parents and school officials that the checks that are going out are approximately 20% of tuition.

Why would (not so) Exceptional SC not tell parents how much specifically they were receiving … or even generally how much … we can only speculate … but we are hearing the amounts are approximately 20%.

The home stretch of the 2020-2021 school year is here … the promised funding is not … there is not even a plan in place on what to expect …. other than the pitiful 20% no communications whatsoever!!! Politics over children … AGAIN?

We offered a solution … to raise the full 2020 $12 million by 12/31 …. and next year’s $12 million in early January 2021. That was $24 MILLION by 1/31/2021!!! Well … they knew better … NOT!

Yet YOU lost $7.5 MILLION in 2019 … $8 MILLION in 2020 … and with the current fundraising pace … YOU will lose even more in 2021.