House subcommittee backs charter-school enrollment preference for military families, keeps 20% cap

House Bill 3862, which would add active-duty military families to the list of permitted enrollment preferences under the Charter School Act, was reported favorably as amended by the South Carolina House Education and Public Works subcommittee on Feb. 4, 2025.

The bill adds “students who are members of a military service family that reside or are stationed in the state” to allowable preference categories and caps that preference at 20% of a charter school’s enrollment. Representative-level committee members also preserved a separate provision allowing charter schools located on military installations to reserve up to 50% of seats for military families; the committee restored the word “priority” for that provision by unanimous consent before advancing the bill.

Why it matters: Supporters said the change aims to reduce disruption for military children who frequently relocate and often cannot meet standard lottery deadlines because orders arrive after lotteries are closed. Proponents argued the preference will give military families more predictable access to preferred charter options and continuity for students.

Several charter and education advocates testified in support. JW Ragley, representing SC Learns, told the committee, “We’re 100% in support of the bill” and said virtual charters provide continuity for military families who move frequently. Kevin Mason, governmental affairs director for the Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina, urged passage, saying the preference would “help provide stability and continuity in their learning environments.” Melissa Clampett, who identified herself as a military spouse and mother of two, described personal experience with wait lists and said implementing the bill “gives military families a higher probability of enrollment in their preferred schools.”

Chris Neely, superintendent of the South Carolina Public Charter School District, emphasized that Palmetto Scholars Academy — the state’s charter located on Joint Base Charleston — coexists with the Department of Defense under an agreement that relies on giving military families priority seats. Neely told the committee that the base school’s agreement reserves 50% priority seats and cautioned that changing that language could jeopardize such arrangements.

Actions and procedure: Committee members agreed by unanimous consent to reinsert the word “priority” for the provision applying to charter schools on military bases. The subcommittee then voted to report the bill favorably as amended; the roll call recorded eight ayes and two absences (Representative Alexander and Representative Rivers were listed as not present). The recorded aye votes were Representatives Bowers, Duncan, Gilreath, Kilmartin, Tipple, Vaughn, Erickson and the bill sponsor (Chairman Bradley recorded an aye in the roll call). No no votes or abstentions were recorded on the subcommittee’s final vote.

Next steps: The subcommittee advanced HB3862 to the full Education and Public Works Committee. The bill will be considered by the larger committee and, if approved, proceed through the remaining House and Senate steps. The committee did not set a public-date deadline in the hearing for Senate action.