The move comes one day after the board placed President Thomas Elzey on paid administrative leave.
State senators say it is important they move quickly especially after they placed the Monday’s action.
“I am not sure that the public trusts the existing board to choose the next leader,” said Richland County Senator Darrell Jackson.
In a unanimous vote, the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee moved the bill forward. It would put a temporary board in place at the school for three years.
The bill has bipartisan support with Republicans and Democrats signed on as sponsors.
If passed, the temporary board would be made up of five people, about half of the number of members currently serving.
The Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee would each appoint a member to the board.
“It’ll enable a small group, a small board with new leadership to come in, make the necessary changes to ensure the school’s survival,” said Sen. Larry Grooms of Berkeley County.
Senators hope the plan will solve the issues of fading public trust at the school, bring financial stability and increase enrollment.
“Everything has to be on the table, everything has to be and that’s the only way that the problems at the school will be solved,” said Grooms.
