South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is pushing a bill to create a statewide charter district that could authorize charter schools anywhere in the state, which would then fund these schools directly, bypassing local districts entirely. It's a smart and overdue change and one recommended in Fordham's report on charter authorizing (http://www.edexcellence.net/detail/news.cfm?news_id=67). Philanthropist Dennis Bakke of Imagine Schools, a charter operator, has sweetened the pot by promising a $20 million loan to get more such schools started if the bill passes. Local and state education officials naturally oppose the plan, however, as they would oppose any effort to strengthen the Palmetto State's weak charter law. And of course they're livid about Bakke's offer. "It's buying influence, and it's blackmailing the duly elected representatives of our citizens," sputtered Cecil Cahoon, South Carolina Education Association spokesman.
"Group pledges $20 mil if charter law passes," Associated Press, May 13, 2004