Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- State Education Department officials say about 50 employees have left the agency or been let go since May.

The State newspaper reported Thursday that Education Superintendent Mick Zais is consolidating two of the agency's five divisions.

The 50 employees are nearly 13 percent of the department's non-transportation workers.

Zais and Gov. Nikki Haley are considering privatizing school bus operations. That could affect the Education Department's 456 transportation workers.

Spokesman Jay Ragley says some duties have been shifted to other workers but all department functions are continuing.

Debbie Elmore with the South Carolina School Boards Association says the education department could have done a better job of letting local officials know about the changes.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

What do you think about consolidating divisions at the Department of Education? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.