Journal of the House of Representatives
of the First Session of the 111th General Assembly
of the State of South Carolina
being the Regular Session Beginning Tuesday, January 10, 1995

Page Finder Index

| Printed Page 2250, Apr. 5 | Printed Page 2270, Apr. 6 |

Printed Page 2260 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

The second step in the selection process involved sending a "Location Survey" to the same recipients of the Request for Information. The Survey served as the vehicle for the submission of proposals to serve as the location of the school, and contained specifications for the location of the school, including evaluation criteria.

The general evaluation criteria established by the Study Committee for review of the proposals were:
* the overall quality of the proposal;
* the organizational structure;
* public/private partnerships;
* quality of student life, arts and academic needs;
* capital and operating budgets; and
* facility requirements.

The Location Survey included specific questions under each of the general criteria to address important considerations in the selection of a site for the nine-month school.

A Respondents' meeting was held in February, 1995, to answer any questions that potential respondents had concerning completion of the Survey. Representatives from Anderson College, the University of South Carolina, and Newberry College attended the meeting.

Five proposals were received in response to the Location Survey. They were: the City of Aiken; the City of Union; the City of Newberry; the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg; and the Unified Alliance for the Governor's School of Greenville. All respondents with the exception of Aiken accepted the Committee's invitation to make a presentation of their proposals. (Copies of the Location Survey and Responses may be obtained from the Office of Senator J. Verne Smith).

The proposals represented strong, yet diverse, options for the location of the school. The City of Aiken proposed the purchase of the Centennial Center office complex located in South Central Aiken, with collaborative support from USC Aiken, Aiken Technical College, and the Aiken public school system.

Both Union and Newberry stressed the advantages of locating in a smaller community, and proposed the renovation and use of public school buildings. Union proposed the renovation of the former Union High School campus located in the Main Street Historic District in a lease arrangement with the State. Union offered collaborative support from USC-Union, and emphasized its past success in downtown historic renovation projects. Newberry proposed the renovation of the Newberry Middle School campus which would be available in 1998. Newberry College offered interim housing for students over a two-year period as


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well as the shared use of its campus facilities. Newberry emphasized its community support for the arts as evidenced by the current restoration of the historic Newberry Opera House.

The two, larger metropolitan areas also offered contrasting proposals for the location of the school. USC Spartanburg proposed the use of its existing and expanded campus facilities, stressing the near completion of its new Campus Life Center. The University, along with the City of Spartanburg and other community partners, stressed Spartanburg's long tradition of support and involvement in the arts. The Greenville proposal was based on the construction of a self-contained campus on land currently owned by the City and County of Greenville. Both the City and County indicated a willingness to work with the private sector in making the land available as the site for the Governor's School. Greenville stressed its fifteen year support for the current Governor's School for the Arts summer program at Furman University as well as its long tradition of local financial support for and promotion of the arts.

While all of the proposals were strong candidates for selection, the Committee unanimously agreed to recommend the Greenville location as the site of the proposed nine-month residential school for the arts and humanities. The Committee felt that the Greenville proposal offered the best overall plan to fulfill the artistic and academic mission of the school. The Committee also felt that the proposal most closely met two important priorities established by the Committee during the selection process.

First, the proposal envisioned a self-contained campus where the academic and artistic programs could be provided on campus. This met Committee concerns that:
* parents would be hesitant to send their high school children to a university campus setting where the possibility for commingling with college age students was greater;
* it would be difficult to schedule shared use of campus facilities; and
* there would be scheduling difficulties in attempting to provide for the academic needs of the students if it required transporting students to different schools within the public school system.

The ability to bring teachers to the students on-campus so as to better meld the artistic and academic programs was emphasized in the Greenville proposal. Finally, providing campus safety and security for the students on a self-contained campus was also an important consideration.

Second, the Greenville proposal offered a firm commitment to generate private funds in support of the project. The proposal included an estimated ability to raise approximately one-third of the capital costs. In addition, the proposal included firm letters of commitment from


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community leaders expressing their commitment to "participat(e) in a major effort to raise substantial funds from the private sector in our community." The Committee felt that Greenville had a proven track record for private fundraising, for example, its ability to raise more than $25 million for the $35 million Peace Center for the Performing Arts.

The capital cost for the construction of the campus for the school is $13,420,300 with an additional cost of $1,170,000 for the construction of a recital hall, for a total capital cost of $14,590,300. The estimated annual operating budget, excluding the cost of the technical needs to implement televised distance learning and excluding salaries and benefits for employees, is approximately $1,401,000. (See Chart 2 for the capital and operating budgets).

In addition, Greenville has solicited and received documentation for in-kind services and contributions to the Governor's School program. The City and County of Greenville have indicated their support and cooperation in the acquisition of the land and necessary infrastructure to achieve a self-contained campus for the school. The School District of Greenville County has pledged to provide purchasing, maintenance, and other administrative services as well as the shared use of faculty and facilities. Other organizations have pledged support in the way of services, facilities, and shared faculty. (See Chart 3 for documented in-kind services).

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 2

The Committee resolved to recommend to the General Assembly that Greenville serve as the location for the nine-month residential Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. State funding for the necessary capital expenditures for the school would be based on the amount raised by the community in a statewide campaign for private funds (including local government contributions). The goal would be a ratio of two dollars of private funds for each one dollar of state funds. There would be an opportunity during the capital campaign to make some adjustments to the proposed site plans if necessary.

Issue #3. Geographic and Financial Access

The Committee was charged with reviewing the issue of access for students from all geographic locations and for students with limited economic means. To meet this charge, an Access Plan was developed and approved by the Committee. (See Chart 4). With regard to students with limited financial means, the Plan provides that no student will be denied admission to the school because of an inability to pay tuition if a tuition


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policy is established. If a tuition policy is adopted by the governing board of the school, a sliding scale will be considered for students to pay according to their means. If a standard tuition fee is adopted, financial aid will be considered for students who are unable to pay the full tuition. If the precedent set by the Governor's School for Math and Science is followed, every student would receive free tuition.

Act 447 requires that the governing board of the school shall, as far as possible without jeopardizing admission standards, ensure that an equal number of students are admitted from each of the state's congressional districts. In addition, the Plan calls for enhanced recruiting efforts across the state to identify students with artistic potential but who may have had limited opportunity to develop that talent. Special outreach efforts will be made for rural counties, including workshops to assist in completing the application process and the use of a mentoring program so that older students and teachers can assist students in talent development. The Plan also calls for the expansion of the current Academy, a two-week intensive summer training program to prepare rising sophomores in targeted counties to compete more successfully for entry into the Governor's School five-week Honors program. Other, similar initiatives are outlined in more detail in the Access plan.

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 3

The Committee recommends that the governing board of the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, once established and operational, adopt the Access Plan as its policy for the participation of students from all geographic areas of the state and with limited financial means.

CONCLUSION

The Committee strongly supports the mission and objectives of the nine-month residential school for the arts, and recommends its location in Greenville, South Carolina. State funding for the necessary capital expenditures for the school would be based on the amount raised by the community in statewide campaign for private funds (including local government contributions). The goal would be a ratio of two dollars of private funds for each one dollar of state funds. There would be an opportunity during the capital campaign to make some adjustments to the proposed site plans if necessary. Once private financing is secured, the Committee recommends that the state appropriate the state match and, when able and appropriate, fund the annual operating costs of the school. To ensure access for all students regardless of geographic location or financial means, the Committee recommends that the governing body of


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the school adopt the Access Plan as developed and approved by the Committee.

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 4

Act 447 provides that the Study Committee will terminate upon the issuance of its final report. To support the continued efforts to secure financing and completion of the school, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly support the continuation of the Study Committee for the duration of the project. The Committee further recommends that the governing body of the school report periodically, but not less than quarterly, to the Committee concerning any changes or modifications to its proposal.

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER 5

Act 447 also provides that the governing board of the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities is established and effective on July 1, 1995. The Committee recommends that, in accordance with Act 447, the governing body of the school be appointed by July 1, 1995, so that members of the governing body can provide leadership in the statewide capital campaign.

GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

STUDY COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP LIST

House Ways and Means Committee:Senate Finance Committee:

Rep. Carole Wells Senator J. Verne Smith

104 Spring Valley Dr. P.O. Box 528

Spartanburg, SC 29301 Greer, SC 29651

House Education Committee:Senate Education Committee:

Rep. Elsie Rast Stuart Senator McKinley Washington

Post Office Box 38 610 Gressette Building

Pelion, SC 29123 Columbia, SC 29202

Superintendent of Education:Chairman of CHE/Designee:

Dr. Barbara Neilson Mr. Willard Metcalf

1429 Senate Street 110 Inglewood Way

Columbia, SC 29201 Greenville, SC 29615

Designee: Mac Arthur Goodwin


Printed Page 2265 . . . . . Thursday, April 6, 1995

Governor's Appointee:

Dr. Leo Twiggs

420 Woodlawn Drive

Orangeburg, SC 29115

SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL

FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES

TENTATIVE STATEMENT OF CAPITAL BUDGET

I. Construction Cost

A. Site Work

1. Roads and Parking . . . . .$150,000

2. Utilities. . . . .$100,000

3. Walkways, Landscaping. . . . .$160,000

B. Building Construction

1. Creative Writing 3,820 SF x $50*. . . . .$191,000

2. Dance 10,425 SF x $85. . . . .$886,210

3. Music 11,160 SF x $85. . . . .$948,640

4. Drama 17,200 SF x $90. . . . . $1,548,000

5. Visual Arts 9,100 SF x $110. . . . .$546,000

6. Auxiliary Support

Kitchen & Dining 7,150 SF x $110. . . . .$786,500

Dormitories 42,835 SF x $70. . . . .$2,998,450

Library, Guidance, Information. . . . .$614,250

8,190 SF x $75

7. Administration 2,550 SF x $75. . . . .$191,250

8. Recital Hall 7,800 SF x $150. . . . .($1,170,000)

II. Construction Related and Administrative Costs

A. Survey, Testing. . . . .$50,000

B. Land Cost (Carolina Supply Building). . . . .$250,000

C. Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment. . . . .$2,000,000

D. Fees. . . . .$800,000

III. Contingency. . . . .$1,200,000

TOTAL. . . . .$13,420,300
. . . . .($14,590,300)

Numbers in () are for Phase II and include costs of Recital Hall
*Cost based on renovation of Carolina Supply Building.


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*Estimated Operational Budget

Arts, Academics and Humanities

Food Service . . . . .310,000

Utilities

Natural Gas. . . . .60,000

Electricity. . . . .180,000

Water. . . . .45,000

Telephone. . . . . 50,000

Equipment and Supplies. . . . .135,000

Housekeeping. . . . .100,000

Maintenance. . . . .40,000

Operational Supplies. . . . .25,000

Travel. . . . .30,000

Productions. . . . .60,000

Printing. . . . .30,000

Advertising. . . . .15,000

Public Relations. . . . .10,000

Postage/Courier. . . . .30,000

Books, recordings and computer software. . . . .75,000

Consulting Services/Artists. . . . .50,000

Insurance. . . . .100,000

Vehicle Maintenance. . . . .5,000

Operational Equipment. . . . .1,000

Contingency. . . . . 50,000

TOTAL. . . . .$1,401,000

*Note: The estimated operating budget is contingent upon the school's location, collaborations, facilities, the cost of utilities and shared services. This budget does not reflect the cost of the distance learning component of the school nor the salaries and benefits of all employees.

SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL

FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Documented In-Kind Services

School District of Greenville County
* Fine Arts Center/Governor's School for the Arts - shared artists and teachers
* International Baccalaureate Programs - shared faculty - international studies
* Fiscal management/investments


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* Purchasing
* Maintenance/storage
* Moving/transporting
* Printing/mailing - at cost
* Shared facilities and academic teachers - at cost
* Science labs
* Shared consulting services
* Recreational services and facilities

Greenville Technical College

Library services

Interactive television, lecture rooms and transmission

Lecture rooms

Academic tuition courses

Welding shops

Carpentry shops - technical set design and fabrication

Food services assistants

Computer labs when available

Consulting advisors

Bob Jones University
Art exhibitions - religious art collection - largest in western hemisphere

Technical expertise and adjunct faculty, arts and academics

Opera performances

Theater performances

Music programs and workshops

Stage set, costume, makeup, residencies and workshops

Shared guest artists

First Baptist Church - Greenville

Shared space - classrooms, auditorium and lecture rooms

Furman University
Performance facilities - when available - first choice after Furman programs scheduled

Programs - arts, academics, humanities

Computer labs

Library services

Graduate studies - gifted education, arts, academics and humanities

Art gallery for exhibits when not in use


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Gallery talks, art lectures

Art exhibits and art history lectures

Recreation facilities

Guest writers and artists performances and masterclasses

Audition for Furman Orchestra and chorus

Audition for theater productions

Performing Arts Centers

Peace Center for the Performing Arts

*Free unsold tickets to any performance

*Peace Outreach Program (POP)

*Guest artists, masterclasses, workshops

*Wyche Pavilion concerts

Symphonies

Greenville Symphony

*Shared programs/seminars

*Shared artists

*Adjunct faculty (arts)

*Internship/apprenticeships

*Other

Bob Jones Symphony (see Bob Jones University)

Ballet Companies

Greenville Ballet Company

*Shared programs/seminars

*Shared artists

*Adjunct faculty (arts)

*Internships/apprenticeships

*GSA students accepted for performance by audition

Community Arts Councils

Metropolitan Arts Council

*Publicity efforts/raise community awareness

*Apprenticeships

*Shared programs/seminars

*Volunteer placements

City of Greenville

William D. Workman, Mayor

Nancy Whitworth - Economic Development Director


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Mike Bridges, Chief of Police

R.M. Capps, Fire Chief

*Safety and security

*Land and infrastructure

*Recreation

Greenville County Council

Land

Greenville Area Theaters

Greenville Little Theater

*Shared spaces

*Shared programs/seminars

*Technical resources (staging/lighting)

*Internships/apprenticeships

*Workshops in costuming/staging/makeup

*Adjunct faculty (arts)

*Visiting artists

Greenville County Library

Programs/seminars

Research

Library resources:books, audio, visual aids

Greenville County Museum of Art

Programs/seminars/workshops

Shared artists

Adjunct faculty (arts)

Exhibits and lectures

A Proposed Plan for Fair and Equal Access to the

South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities

This proposed access plan is developed in response to the legislative requirement that the issue of access to the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities for students from all geographic locations within the state as well as those with limited economic means and limited education opportunities be addressed.

The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities will promote fair and equal access for the residential school in accordance with the admission criteria, standards of excellence and procedures as developed and established by the administration and approved by the


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Board of Directors. Further, no student will be denied admission to the school because of an inability to pay tuition if a tuition policy is established.


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