Zais seeks more money for classrooms, buses - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

By SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina schools chief Mick Zais wants more money for textbooks, school buses, and teacher supplies.

The Republican superintendent also wants districts to increase teacher salaries, though his request seeks no additional money for the so-called base student cost that funds salaries. Zais says how to pay for a required step increase is a local decision.

Zais presented his budget request Wednesday to a House Ways and Means panel.

It includes an additional $19.2 million for textbooks and other instructional materials, for a total of $53 million. Zais notes the state has new standards in math, reading and social studies, and new science standards will be adopted later this year.

He requests $34 million to buy enough new school buses to comply with a 2007 law legislators have ignored.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.