SC gov vetoes money to expand residential schools

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Vetoes that legislators will consider overriding when they return this week include budget items that expand residential schools for talented students and that upgrade schools for troubled teens.

Gov. Nikki Haley vetoed spending that allows 85 more students to enroll in the Governor’s School for Science and Math and increases visual arts offerings at the Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities. Other vetoes would replace inefficient, 47-year-old windows at Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School and upgrade technology at John de la Howe School.

The vetoes for the residential schools tally $3.4 million.

Haley says she wants to evaluate their purpose and cost-per-student before giving the schools more money.

House Majority Leader Kenny Bingham says the vetoes are short-sighted and says he will lead the effort to override them.