Okay, I just got back from business in SC a few minutes ago, while getting gas I saw an older gentleman with a Thomas bus jacket on, so I spoke with him.
He just retired, his job was too purchase school buses for SC....
I told him of this delima you have, he said:
The state of SC owns their buses, yup government, state legislators vote to buy buses yearly.
They are not buying buses this year, he did say the newer buses have the best of everything,ac, big engines and biggest brakes availible bought in the last couple yaers.
He gave me a name of a gentleman in Columbia that buys used buses of all makes in the state to resell, he is also the big Thomas dealer
If you want his contact info pm me
Also the above info explains why in the bus yard I stopped in 30min before meeting with his guy had:
FE dog noses and flat noses
RE BB,Thomas hi top and low top and Thomas hi-hi tops they looked like the roof raise that did
Dog nose internationals and gmc's
Literally every type except crowns...very weird parking lot
So only option in SC seems to be dealer in Columbia or private
Blue bird,Thomas,crown by carpenter,carpenter and every combo you could get