PCSD affirms revocation of Sea Islands Heritage Academy charter after school board absence

The South Carolina Public Charter School District board on June 12 voted to affirm staff’s recommendation to revoke the charter for Sea Islands Heritage Academy and terminate the charter contract effective June 30, 2025, after no representatives of the school attended the scheduled revocation hearing.

PCSD staff told trustees the notice of proposed revocation had been sent to the school on April 18, 2025, and that no board members or school representatives appeared at the hearing. Staff recommended affirmation of the revocation and incorporation of the staff report into the record. Trustees voted by voice; no opposing votes were recorded on the audio record.

During public comment following the board vote, Robert King, a member of the Sea Islands Heritage Academy board of trustees and a former charter authorizer board member in New York, addressed the board and acknowledged the school had underestimated the difficulty of enrolling students in the rural Saint Helena Island area. King said the school had enrolled nearly 40 students on the basis of a concept despite not having a facility, teachers or curriculum; he asserted that "100% of our students demonstrated academic progress" and reported strong return intentions and increased enrollment projections for year two. King asked the board to consider the students’ progress as the school wound down operations.

Board members expressed regret at the outcome and emphasized the board’s responsibility to act when authorizer requirements and governance standards are not met. PCSD staff said they will incorporate the staff recommendation into formal closure steps and coordinate transition services for affected students.

The revocation will require staff to execute the closure protocol and provide transition support; staff told trustees they will return with implementation updates.