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S.C. Bill Allows Class Size Increase, Lower Salaries

Columbia, S.C.

South Carolina school districts could furlough teachers, skip some testing and increase class sizes under legislation given initial approval Thursday.

The measure advanced to the full House Ways and Means Committee would give districts temporary freedom from some state mandates, this school year and next.

State Schools Superintendent Jim Rex has urged legislators to pass it quickly, saying districts need the flexibility to keep classrooms running as they cope with more than $320 million in state budget cuts to the state's 85...