We reported on the entire Education Savings Account debacle in Nevada a few years ago (you can read all about it HERE) … pushed by the same people opposing us here in South Carolina … and how that Nevada debacle harmed so many kids in that state.
Well, that same ESA lobby was able to pass an ESA law in Tennessee in the spring of 2019 … and it is TOTALLY BLOWING UP NOW … just like in NEVADA!!! And yes, it is the same people pushing ESAs here in SC today. #FollowTheMoney!!!
It all started shortly after the ESA bill was passed in Tennessee … starting with the FBI investigating the matter.
Then came the financial improprieties of a $2.53 MILLION contract for a technology company (#FollowTheMoney) called ClassWallet. YES, $2.53 MILLION before one child gets a single dime!!!
There are even bi-partisan bills that have been filed in Tennessee to shut down the ESA program … it is an entire fiasco … and the same people are here in South Carolina opposing our work and pushing for these ESAs here. #JustSayNO!!!!
The word is getting around at the SC State House about what a DEBACLE the Education Savings Accounts really are. Legislators are hearing (as we expose the mess in Tennessee & Nevada) … and they are figuring out that the “Paid” Advocates are pushing an inferior … and defective … solution just to line their pockets.
The S 556 ESA sub-committee meeting scheduled for last Thursday was CANCELLED … AGAIN.
Just imagine if all these “paid” advocates were actually trying to help fix (not so) Exceptional SC …. how many KIDS would be getting scholarships today!!! BUT, as we have figured out … it is all about the MONEY to them … and there is NO MONEY for them fixing Exceptional SC … so no help.
The sad part is … some of these “paid” advocates are our friends. We get that they individually need their jobs … have bills to pay … but when you work for an organization that is only about the money … pushing a self interested monied agenda … not something we could do personally.
SO NOW … let’s tie it all back into the past few weeks here in South Carolina …. and legislators pushing for the technology company ClassWallet:
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 …
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!!!
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.