Democrats discuss funding in superintendent debate

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — In a televised debate, four Democratic candidates for schools superintendent discussed how to pay for school districts in South Carolina.

The candidates are state Rep. Jerry Govan of Orangeburg; South Carolina State University dean of graduate studies Tom Thompson; former director of school transformation Montrio Belton; and former South Carolina Education Association president Sheila Gallagher. The debate was broadcast by ETV Thursday night.

All four candidates agreed that school districts should be fully and equally funded, but they differed on whether a sales tax increase or a return to property tax is the solution.

Gallagher suggested legalizing and taxing the sale of marijuana to fund education. Thompson says he cannot see state government telling the public to buy marijuana to help provide quality schools.

The primary is June 10.