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Public Charter School District reports enrollment growth, waitlists and fiscal stability
Summary
Superintendent Neely told the committee the South Carolina Public Charter School District has grown to about 20,600 students in 44 schools, has a roughly 6,000‑student wait list, is financially balanced with no debt and has closed underperforming schools during his tenure.
Superintendent Chris Neely (title given in testimony as Superintendent) briefed the K‑12 Finance Subcommittee on the South Carolina Public Charter School District’s portfolio, enrollment growth and finances.
Neely said the district’s 45‑day membership count was just over 20,600 students across 44 schools, with more than 6,000 students on waiting lists. He said the district employs more than 2,500 staff, that about 80% of teachers are certified, and that the district’s student population has become more diverse and higher need — noting an approximately 8 percentage‑point growth in pupils in poverty and a 63% increase in students with disabilities since 2020.
Neely described portfolio management and accountability actions: during his tenure the district closed four underperforming schools and another four that did not have capacity before they opened. He said the district currently has five schools rated unsatisfactory and that corrective action letters had been issued to those schools with a focus on support before revocation.
On finance, Neely reported the district operates a balanced budget, maintains a sustainable rainy‑day fund, has no debt and follows the statutory two percent reserve set by law. He said a recent FTE breakdown showed 32 employees in the central office and that the district had reduced FTE by two from the prior year, noting adjustments tied to expiring federal ESSER funds.
Committee members asked about growth and market demand for charter options. Neely said demand remains strong, that parents’ interest increased after the pandemic and that the district seeks to prioritize quality as it scales. He also noted partnerships with local districts for alternative education campuses that serve students who have left traditional settings and work to return students to graduation and employment.
The committee thanked Neely for the briefing and indicated they would follow up with any further questions about specific portfolio schools and applications pending before the authorizer.
