Opinion: Children's education shouldn't be a socio-economic, political issue

When you are entitled to a whole loaf of bread, but you only get half, is half a loaf better than nothing?

The Sumter School District is entitled to a cumulative increase (2017-19) in millage equal to $2.9 million. This is in accordance with South Carolina Act 388, which became law in 2006 by the Republican-controlled Legislature. This law shifted the responsibility of paying taxes for local schools from homeowners to businesses. Although businesses continue to strongly advocate against this law, S.C. legislators have taken no action to repeal Act 388.

The school district must submit its request for a millage increase to county council since it does not have fiscal autonomy like more progressive school districts in the state. For the past two years (2017 and 2018), its requests were denied by county council. To prevent this from happening in 2019, it appears that the school district is willing to compromise.

When two parties compromise, they desire a win-win outcome. However, the school district's millage request to county council is not a win-win outcome for both parties. By requesting only half of what it is entitled to, a win-win compromise is not achievable. This is a win for businesses, who are still not meeting their fair share of responsibility to fund local schools under Act 388, and a loss for the school board, which is responsible for providing a high-quality education to the students in our public schools.

The school district's request should receive a unanimous vote from county council since it favors the business community; if not, there must be some truth to the hidden agenda that is often said privately but not repeated publicly.

All children in public and private schools in Sumter County are entitled to a "highly adequate" education. I encourage everyone to uphold their responsibility. The education of our children should not be a socio-economic or political issue.

God bless Sumter County, the state of South Carolina and the United States of America.

EUGENE R. BATEN

Sumter County Council, District 7