With Horry County Schools beginning class next week, Sandra Matthews is preparing her room.
"I've got a lot of students so I've got a lot to do," says Matthews. She teaches the gifted and talented classes at Conway Elementary School, and with her books, globes and toy snakes ready, this time of the year is her favorite.
"I was in probably a week before the teachers are supposed to come in just to get the room organized and some materials ready."
For 21 years, she's prepped for the first day of school. Preparation that often includes buying supplies with her own money.
"Before I even started, I think I spent like $80 at Teachers Touch. It's something we do and it's something we always do. Throughout the year, we're still spending money on the classroom."
She's aware while she's putting out her own cash, South Carolina's Department of Education is failing to take in federal money.
"It's a shame that the money is not there for the things we need to do for our students."
$144 million in federal funding for K-12 schools await the state's education department.
About 50 people protested outside of the SC Department of Education's headquarters Monday, demanding the agency take the federal money.
The South Carolina Education Association says that money would add 2,880 teaching jobs.
But State Superintendent Mick Zais said he wasn't taking the money, because it was a one-time infusion of money. He said it increased federal involvement in South Carolina's education.
South Carolina's Association of School Administrators Executive Director Molly Spearman says Zais never attempted to get the money, and she says local education officials worry decisions are being made at the state level without consulting them.
The money is already set aside to fund South Carolina schools, and with every other state in the U.S., the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico applying for the federal money, Matthews says South Carolina is being left behind.
"For our state, it would be wonderful," says Matthews. "We know that we are doing everything we can...to make our schools the best we can possibly make it. If there's something there, funding there, that would help us get to that point, then it would be wonderful that we take advantage of it. No reason that we shouldn't."
If the education department does not apply for the money, the $144 million would be split up between the educational departments who have qualified for the funds.
The deadline for the state's education department to apply for the money is midnight Monday.
Do you think South Carolina is being left behind by not taking this money? Leave a comment below.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
