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Committee okays bill allowing charter schools to give enrollment preference to military dependents
Summary
Senators gave House Bill 3862 a favorable report to the full Senate after subcommittee testimony supporting a 20% cap on the preference; sponsors and witnesses said some charter schools have long waiting lists and families sought help when moves coincide with deployment.
The Senate Education Committee voted to give House Bill 3862 a favorable report to the full Senate, clearing language that would let public charter schools give enrollment preference to dependents of active‑duty military stationed or residing in the state.
Under the bill, a school may offer preference to military dependents but the total number of students admitted under that preference may not exceed 20% of the school’s enrollment, sponsors said. The preference would sit alongside existing preferences such as siblings of enrolled students and children of school employees or board members.
Katie Grinstead, the committee’s research staff, told members that testimony at subcommittee included charter officials and parents who supported the change. Dr. Trevor Ivy, identified by staff as principal of Liberty Steam Charter School in Sumter County, told the subcommittee his school had roughly 314 students on a wait list and supported the measure. A military spouse who testified said her family missed an enrollment period after a deployment‑related move and that the change would have given her children a better chance of enrollment.
Senators discussed the policy trade‑offs: supporters described it as a targeted accommodation for military families who move during the school year, while some members noted that the preference effectively allows those families to ‘‘jump the line’’ ahead of others on wait lists at popular charter schools. Senator Young, who chaired the subcommittee, said three witnesses appeared and all were supportive.
The committee voted on a motion to give the bill a favorable report; the chair announced the ayes had it and the bill will proceed to the full Senate.
