COLUMBIA (WACH/AP) -- The Legislative Black Caucus along with education and civil rights leaders plan to protest decisions by Superintendent Mick Zais to refuse to take federal grant money. 

The groups will speak to reporters Tuesday morning at the Statehouse and talk about a petition drive to get Zais to change his mind.

Zais has said he promised to not take federal money during his campaign last year because the funds come with too many strings attached or are one-time infusions of cash that can leave big holes in school budgets. He has kept his word.

Joining the caucus at Tuesday's protest are the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the state Association of School Administrators and local school board members.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)