Journal of the House of Representatives
of the First Session of the 111th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 10, 1995

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| Printed Page 2240, Apr. 5 | Printed Page 2260, Apr. 6 |

Printed Page 2250 . . . . . Wednesday, April 5, 1995

Rep. THOMAS explained the amendment.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

The SPEAKER granted Rep. CANTY a leave of absence for the remainder of the day.

ACTING SPEAKER HUFF IN CHAIR

Rep. THOMAS continued speaking.

Rep. MARTIN spoke in favor of the amendment.

SPEAKER IN CHAIR

Rep. MARTIN continued speaking.

Rep. McELVEEN spoke upon the amendment.

Rep. HUFF moved that the House do now adjourn.

Rep. A. YOUNG demanded the yeas and nays, which were taken resulting as follows:

Yeas 58; Nays 48

Those who voted in the affirmative are:

Anderson         Askins           Baxley
Beatty           Boan             Breeland
Brown, G.        Brown, J.        Byrd
Carnell          Cato             Cave
Chamblee         Clyburn          Cobb-Hunter
Cooper           Elliott          Govan
Harrison         Harvin           Herdklotz
Hines            Hodges           Howard
Huff             Inabinett        Jennings
Kennedy          Kinon            Klauber
Lanford          Lloyd            Marchbanks
Martin           McAbee           McElveen
McKay            McTeer           Moody-Lawrence
Neal             Rhoad            Rice
Rogers           Scott            Sheheen
Smith, D.        Spearman         Stille
Thomas           Townsend         Tucker
Waldrop          Whipper, L.      Whipper, S.


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White            Wilder           Wilkes
Worley

Total--58

Those who voted in the negative are:

Allison          Bailey           Brown, H.
Cain             Cotty            Cromer
Dantzler         Davenport        Easterday
Fair             Fulmer           Gamble
Hallman          Harrell          Hutson
Jaskwhich        Keegan           Kelley
Kirsh            Knotts           Koon
Law              Limehouse        Littlejohn
Mason            McCraw           Quinn
Richardson       Riser            Robinson
Sandifer         Seithel          Sharpe
Shissias         Simrill          Smith, R.
Stuart           Tripp            Trotter
Vaughn           Walker           Wells
Whatley          Wilkins          Witherspoon
Wofford          Wright           Young, A.

Total--48

So, the motion to adjourn was agreed to.

Further proceedings were interrupted by adjournment, the pending question being consideration of Amendment No. 1.

MOTION NOTED

Rep. COOPER moved to reconsider the vote whereby debate was adjourned on H. 3827 until April 25, 1995, and the motion was noted.

ADJOURNMENT

At 5:10 P.M. the House in accordance with the motion of Rep. CAIN adjourned in memory of Rev. C.L. Letson of Walhalla, to meet at 10:00 A.M. tomorrow.

* * *


Printed Page 2252 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

Thursday, April 6, 1995

(Statewide Session)

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

The House assembled at 10:00 A.M.

Deliberations were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives, the Rev. Dr. Alton C. Clark as follows:

Almighty and most merciful God, we praise You for Your many blessings. Make us ever conscious of our debt of gratitude to You. Cause us to know always that this is God's world, the object of God's creation, the arena of man's activity, the scene of man's struggle; that this is God's time - exciting and full of hope, though sometimes confusing and full of anxiety; that we are God's people, called into being and sustained by God's power. Make us always aware that, as God's children, we are to speak His words and do His will.

So use us, we pray, to Your glory and to Your name's honor.

Amen.

Pursuant to Rule 6.3, the House of Representatives was led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America by the SPEAKER.

After corrections to the Journal of the proceedings of yesterday, the SPEAKER ordered it confirmed.

MOTION ADOPTED

Rep. KIRSH moved that when the House adjourns, it adjourn in memory of Wyman Wallace of Clover, which was agreed to.

REPORT RECEIVED

April 5, 1995
The Honorable David Wilkins
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Suite 510, Blatt Building
Columbia, South Carolina 29202

Dear Mr. Speaker:

On behalf of the Governor's School for the Arts Study Committee, I am pleased to submit the enclosed Final Report of the Committee.


Printed Page 2253 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

Act 447 of 1994 created the Governor's School for the Arts Study Committee, and required it to report its recommendations to the General Assembly by April 1, 1995, concerning the following issues:
*the feasibility and desirability of additional state funding for a nine-month residential school for the arts and humanities;
*the recommended location for such a school; and
*access for students from all geographic locations and with limited economic means.

After several months of meetings and the completion of a thorough and thoughtful selection process, we offer our recommendations for further review and consideration by the General Assembly.

Copies of the final report are available through Legislative Printing or through my office at Suite 313 of the Gressette Building.

As Chairman of the Study Committee, I would like to extend special recognition and thanks to Representatives Elsie Rast Stuart and Carole Wells for their participation and assistance on the Committee.

Sincerely,
J. Verne Smith
Chairman

OUTLINE OF REMARKS

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS STUDY COMMITTEE

FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Governor's School for the Arts Study Committee Membership:
* Created by Act 447 of 1994.
* Senators Smith and Washington representing the Senate, Representatives Carole Wells and Elsie Rast Stuart from the House, one member appointed by the Governor, Dr. Leo Twiggs of Orangeburg, the State Superintendent of Education, and a representative of the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education, Mr. Willard Metcalf of Greenville.

Committee Tasks:
* Required to report to the General Assembly by April 1, 1995, with recommendations regarding the following issues:

*determine the feasibility of additional state funding for a nine-month residential school for the arts and humanities;

*recommend a location for the school; and


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*review the issue of access for students from all geographic locations and with limited economic means.

Committee Process for Selecting Location:
* 1st Survey: Request for Information mailed to approximately 500 persons, including mayors, school superintendents, arts organizations, public and private colleges and universities, technical colleges, and local chambers of commerce; 7 responses received: Anderson College; Winthrop University; USC- Spartanburg; USC-Columbia; City of Union; City of Aiken; Greenville Alliance.
* 2nd Survey: Location Survey to invite proposals for locating school - mailed to same list as Request for Information; 5 responses received: City of Aiken; City of Union; City of Newberry; USC-Spartanburg; Greenville Alliance.

Committee Recommendations:
* establish a nine-month residential Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, South Carolina. This would be a self-contained campus located within walking distance of downtown Greenville and the Performing Arts Center. Operating cost: approximately $1.4 million annually excluding costs for personnel and distance learning.
* state funding for the capital expenditures for the school based on the amount raised by the community in a statewide campaign for private funds (with a goal of two dollars private funds for every one dollar in state match). Capital cost: $14.5 million total.
* the governing body of the school adopt as its policy the Access Plan developed by the Committee to ensure qualified students from all geographic areas of the state and with limited financial means have an opportunity to attend the school.
* the Study Committee continue its work beyond the April 1, 1995, deadline for the duration of the project; and the governing body of the school be appointed by July 1, 1995, to allow the governing body to provide leadership in the statewide campaign.


Printed Page 2255 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

FINAL REPORT OF THE

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

STUDY COMMITTEE

APRIL 1, 1995

Submitted by:
Senator J. Verne Smith
Chairman

REPORT OF THE

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

STUDY COMMITTEE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION:

Act 447 of 1994 created the Governor's School for the Arts Study Committee. The Committee, chaired by Senator J. Verne Smith, is comprised of two members of the Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education or her designee, and the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education or his designee.

ISSUES:

The Committee was charged with three tasks: to determine the feasibility and desirability of additional state funding for a nine-month residential school for the arts and humanities; to recommend a location for the school; and to review the issue of access for students from all geographic locations and with limited economic means. The Committee conducted two, statewide surveys first, to gauge the potential interest in locating the school and second, to invite proposals for selecting the site. The surveys also served to determine the potential capital and operating costs for the school. The Committee also drafted and approved an Access Plan to satisfy its task to review geographic and financial access for students across the state.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Committee recommends the establishment of a nine-month residential Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, South Carolina. State funding for the necessary capital expenditures for the school would be based on the amount raised by the community in a statewide campaign for private funds (including local government


Printed Page 2256 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

contributions). The goal would be a ratio of two dollars of private funds for each one dollar of state funds. There would be an opportunity during the capital campaign to make some adjustments to the proposed site plans if necessary. The Committee also recommends that, at the appropriate time, the General Assembly fund the annual operating costs of the school.

The Committee further recommends that the governing body of the school adopt as its policy the Access Plan developed by the Committee to ensure that qualified students from all geographic areas of the state and with limited financial means have an opportunity to attend the school.

The Committee further recommends that the Study Committee continue its work beyond the April 1, 1995, deadline for the duration of the project. The Committee further recommends that, in accordance with Act 447, the governing body of the school be appointed by July 1, 1995, so that members of the governing body can provide leadership in the statewide capital campaign.

INTRODUCTION

In November, 1980, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts was established by Governor Richard W. Riley. Furman University was designated as the summer home for the school and, in 1981, the first five-week program was held. Since 1981, enrollment in the summer program has grown from 118 students to 250, and the budget has increased from $187,000 to $1.3 million. More than 2,000 rising junior and senior high school students have completed the five-week summer program. The program provides intensive training for artistically talented students in creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts.

In addition to the five-week Honors program, the Governor's School for the Arts established several other initiatives: a graduate internship program for South Carolina arts teachers; a two-week preparatory dance program for younger students, ages 12-14; a statewide outreach program to increase awareness of and access to the Governor's school programs; and a two-week outreach academy housed at Converse College for approximately 67 sophomores from rural and small school districts. These programs, along with the five-week Honors program, represent a statewide effort to reach artistically gifted students and to provide them with a greater appreciation for and interest in arts education.

Beginning in 1988, discussions were undertaken with statewide and community leaders about the potential interest in establishing a nine-month residential school for the arts, similar in concept to the Governor's School for Science and Math. In 1989, the Governor's School Board of Directors formally voted to support the concept of an expanded program, and


Printed Page 2257 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

explored plans for undertaking a capital campaign for the school. In 1992, O'Dell Associates, an architectural and engineering firm, conducted a study of possible locations for the nine-month school.

In February, 1993, Governor Carroll Campbell issued an executive order to create the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Steering Committee to consider and assist in the development of a nine-month, residential program for arts and humanities instruction. The steering committee, chaired by Senator J. Verne Smith, met and received information regarding the possibility of establishing a nine-month residential program. In mid-April, 1993, H.4036 was introduced to create the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and its governing board. The bill was amended to establish a study committee to further study the feasibility of establishing the nine-month school. In the Fall of 1993, the Joint Legislative Committee on Cultural Affairs conducted a statewide survey of arts educators and parents to respond to the question of the feasibility of establishing such a school and to determine the concerns of teachers and parents regarding the concept of a nine-month school for the arts.

Discussions concerning the nine-month residential arts school culminated in the passage of H.4036 (Act 447) in June, 1994. The Act established the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and its governing board, effective July 1, 1995. The fifteen member governing board is appointed by the Governor, and is responsible for:
* exploring the renovation or building of appropriate facilities for the school;
* establishing and approving the curriculum of study, admission criteria, standards and procedures;
* assuring, to the greatest extent possible, that an equal number of students are admitted from each of the six congressional districts;
* adopting policies and regulations necessary for the operation of the school;
* appointing the executive director as the chief administrative officer for the school; and
* establishing a foundation and maintaining an endowment fund for the school.

Act 447 also created the Governor's School for the Arts Study Committee comprised of two members of the House of Representatives, two members of the Senate, one member appointed by the Governor, the State Superintendent of Education or her designee, and the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education or his designee. (See Chart 1 for


Printed Page 2258 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

membership). The Study Committee is chaired by Senator J. Verne Smith.

ISSUES

Act 447 charges the Study Committee with completing three tasks:
1) determine the desirability and feasibility of providing additional state funding to establish a nine-month Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities;
2) recommend the location for such a school; and
3) review the issue of access for students from all geographic locations within the State and with limited economic means.

The Study Committee is required to report its findings to the General Assembly no later than April 1, 1995, at which time the Study Committee's work ends. The Study Committee first met on September, 13, 1994, and has met on six occasions since then. Over the past seven months, the Study Committee has carefully studied and discussed the issues surrounding its legislative charges, and offers the following recommendations to the General Assembly.

Issue #1. Additional State Funding for Nine-Month School

From the outset, the Study Committee was extremely concerned that the desirability and feasibility of additional state funding for a nine-month school for the arts and humanities hinged upon a commitment at the local level to secure private cash or in-kind contributions to support the school. In both the Request for Information and the Location Survey (discussed below), respondents were asked to describe the level of local public and/or private funding anticipated to support the project. Specifically, the Location Survey requested letters of commitment to support a local capital campaign, and a detailed capital and operating budget.

The Study Committee also recognized that, given the current budgetary issues facing the General Assembly, the feasibility of additional state funding for the school for Fiscal Year 1995-96 was unrealistic. While the Study Committee strongly endorses the concept of a nine-month residential school for the arts and humanities and believes the mission of the school should continue in a forward momentum, state funding for the proposal is not likely in the absence of a firm commitment by the selected location to raise funds from the private sector to help defray the necessary capital expenditures for the school.


Printed Page 2259 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 1

The Committee resolved to strongly and enthusiastically recommend to the General Assembly the establishment of a nine-month residential Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. State funding for the necessary capital expenditures for the school would be based on the amount raised by the community in a statewide campaign for private funds (including local government contributions). The goal would be a ratio of two dollars of private funds for each one dollar of state funds. There would be an opportunity during the capital campaign to make some adjustments to the proposed site plans if necessary. At such time as the community has successfully completed its fundraising campaign, the General Assembly should provide the state match for the capital costs of the project.

Furthermore, the Committee recommends that once the capital campaign is completed, the State appropriate the necessary funds for the operation of the school. The financial requirements to support the school based upon the Committee's recommendation regarding the location of the school, are discussed in more detail in Issue #2.

Issue #2. Location of Nine-Month School

To ensure an impartial recommendation for the location of the nine-month residential program, the Study Committee adopted a two-step process. The first step was the issuance of a "Request for Information" in November, 1994. This general questionnaire was designed to help the Committee determine the interest and existing capability of educational institutions and communities statewide to serve as the location for the school. The Request included a general description of the project, the proposed criteria for site selection, and the suggested facility requirements.

Approximately 500 Requests were mailed across the state to local chambers of commerce, mayors of municipalities with population over 1,000, state supported and private colleges and universities, school district superintendents, local arts councils and arts leaders, and chairmen of the county legislative delegations.

Responses to the Request for Information were due on January 5, 1995. Seven responses to the Request indicating an interest in serving as the location for the school were received from the City of Aiken, the City of Union, the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg, the Unified Alliance for the S.C. Governor's School of Greenville, the University of South Carolina, Winthrop University, and Anderson College. (Copies of the Request for Information and Responses may be obtained from the Office of Senator J. Verne Smith).


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