South Carolina Law > Code of Laws > Title 59

SECTION 59-50-10.Establishment of school; faculty qualifications.

(A) There is established the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities to provide training for exceptional artistically talented students and serve as a research and resource center for all students and teachers in South Carolina. The school is dedicated to serving talented students in South Carolina who show exceptional talent, promise, aptitude, and interest in creative writing, dance, music, theater, and the visual arts. This residential school shall provide intensive pre- professional and professional instruction in the arts and a strong academic and humanities program which will lead to a high school diploma and college credits.

(B)(1) The arts instructional program must be comprised of faculty who hold advanced degrees in recognized arts fields including, but not limited to, dance, music, theater or drama, visual arts, and creative writing, and previously have taught students in a pre-professional and professional arts instructional program setting or are practicing master artists whose professional expertise can be demonstrated by their training and accomplishments as recognized by state or national arts organizations and affiliations. As an alternative to traditional certification, the faculty for pre-professional and professional instruction shall participate annually in master artists professional development programs. These programs must be modeled from national research-based professional development standards for instructional and practicing master artists. Pursuant to this chapter, the school's board of directors shall adopt policies and regulations governing development of the arts instructional program. The school's annual accountability report must include information on the arts instructional program and faculty participation.

(2) The academic program must be comprised of faculty who hold one or more degrees in the specific subject to be taught and who must have achieved traditional state certification in the area of instruction and may have national board teacher certification. State and national teacher certification must be maintained pursuant to state law and regulations.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment designated subsection (A) and added subsection (B).

SECTION 59-50-20.Board of directors.

The school is governed by a board of directors composed of seventeen members, as follows:

(1) one member from each congressional district, appointed by the Governor;

(2) six members from the State at large, appointed by the Governor;

(3) the Chairman of the Education Oversight Committee or his designee who serves ex officio;

(4) the State Superintendent of Education or his designee who serves ex officio;

(5) the Executive Director of the Commission on Higher Education or his designee who serves ex officio; and

(6) the chairman of the school's foundation board or his designee who serves ex officio.

Members appointed by the Governor serve for terms of four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. Members receive mileage, subsistence, and per diem allowed by law for members of state boards, committees, and commissions.

In making the appointments, the Governor shall seek to obtain the most qualified persons from business, industry, and the educational and arts communities.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005; 2012 Act No. 176, Section 4, eff May 25, 2012.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment in the introductory paragraph substituted "sixteen" for "not more than fifteen"; in item (2) substituted "six" for "four"; in item (3) substituted "Education Oversight Committee or his designee" for "Joint Legislative Committee on Cultural Affairs"; in items (4) and (5) added "or his designee"; rewrote item (6); in the second undesignated paragraph at the end of the second sentence deleted ", except that of those first appointed, the members representing the First, Second, and Third Congressional Districts and two at large members serve for terms or two years and until their successors are appointed and qualify"; and deleted the final undesignated paragraph providing for renovating or building appropriate facilities for the school.

The 2012 amendment substituted "seventeen" for "sixteen" in the first paragraph.

SECTION 59-50-30.Curriculum of study.

The board shall establish and approve the curriculum of study. The curriculum must include intensive, in-depth, pre-professional instruction in the arts as well as a broad based innovative academic and humanities program which constitutes the Southern Association and the state department approved courses of study and requirements for graduation. The program also must include advanced academic studies.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment made nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 59-50-40.Admissions; criteria, standards, procedures.

The school shall admit students in accordance with the admission criteria, standards, and procedures as established and approved by the board. To be eligible for admission to the school, an applicant must be a legal resident of South Carolina unless a special exemption is established to accept out-of-state or international exchange students. Students must be identified as artistically talented and possess a high level of commitment, motivation, and maturity. The board shall assure, as far as possible and without jeopardizing admission standards, that an equal number of students are admitted from each of the state's congressional districts. Out-of-state or international exchange students admitted to the school shall pay tuition as determined by the board.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment at the end of the second sentence deleted "or until the Governor and board change the requirement" and added the fifth sentence requiring out-of-state or international exchange students to pay tuition.

SECTION 59-50-50.President.

The chief administrative officer of the school is the president, who is appointed by the board, serves at its will and pleasure, and administers all affairs of the school, subject to policies and regulations adopted by the board. The president's position is exempt from the State Employee Grievance Procedure Act in Section 8-17-330. The school's vice presidents serve at the will and pleasure of the president. The president or his designee serves as secretary of the board of directors and reports at all board meetings. The president shall report annually to the board on the status of the school, its needs, and recommendations to carry the school forward to fulfill its mission.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment substituted "president" for "executive director" throughout and added the second and third sentences relating to the president's position.

SECTION 59-50-60.Policies and regulations.

The board of directors shall adopt policies and promulgate regulations necessary for the operation and management of the school.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment substituted "shall" for "may" and added "promulgate".

SECTION 59-50-70.Foundation and endowment fund.

The board shall establish a foundation and maintain an endowment fund for the school.

HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 447, Section 1; 2005 Act No. 84, Section 1, eff May 26, 2005.

Effect of Amendment

The 2005 amendment reprinted this section with no apparent change.