For Parents

“The Landscape Is Changing” – An Opportunity To Fix Everything

Published

9 months ago

August 4, 2020

As we are still awaiting a formal announcement from “Exceptional SC” as to Chad Connelly & Tom Persons’ separating from Exceptional SC we need you to realize … this is not a VICTORY … it is an OPPORTUNITY!!!

We are all relieved to have the two biggest opponents to fixing this program in Chad Connelly & Tom Persons OUT … GONE … from Exceptional SC … but there is work to be done.

This is the biggest opportunity to fix everything … correct all the problems of the past … but as encouraging as these words might be from the Exceptional SC attorney Friday a week ago … “The landscape is changing” … those are just words from their attorney. We need ACTION!!!

We have a HUGE PROBLEM … yes!!! We have all felt that very personally and our children have suffered because of it. Well now we have an OPPORTUNITY. Will we have VICTORY? The next week or so will tell us which direction we are heading.

We really hope we never have to use the name (not so) Exceptional SC ever again!!! Will it be the last time? It all depends on what happens next … in the next week or so with the remaining FOUR Exceptional SC Board Members. Will they take advantage of the OPPORTUNITY???

YES … believe it or not … this big mess can ALL be fixed, and fixed soon. There is no reason all $12 MILLION can not be raised before 12/31/2020 if we have independent non-profits involved. We have no doubt we can do it … and fund the scholarships quickly!!!

And NO … outsourcing it to “professional fundraisers” that don’t know how these programs work … will not work …

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.