COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – The Legislature has officially asked the state Supreme Court to withdraw its deadlines for developing a plan to overhaul South Carolina’s public education system.
House Speaker Jay Lucas and Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman jointly filed a petition Monday asking the high court to reject its own order. They argue the justices’ Feb. 1 deadline for issuing a plan is arbitrary and impossible to meet. They also contend the order unconstitutionally usurps legislators’ authority.
The districts’ attorney, Carl Epps, says he plans to respond this week by suggesting new timelines he believes should address lawmakers’ concerns.
Last month’s order follows the court’s ruling last fall that the state’s antiquated education funding system fails to treat students in poor, rural districts fairly.
