PCSD trustees approve multiple contract and oversight actions, deny one charter application

The South Carolina Public Charter School District board of trustees voted on five action items at its Feb. 13 meeting, approving a charter renewal and a goals amendment, accepting a district financial report and authorizing revocation for one pre-opening school while denying another applicant.

The board approved a renewal contract for Felton Lab Charter School, effective July 1, 2025, and authorized Chair Mosteller to sign the contract as recommended by staff. Kristen Farmer, chief of authorization and development, told trustees a signed copy of the contract was included in their board folder. During discussion trustees asked about the district’s LEA responsibilities for special education, and staff explained the district provides LEA-level oversight and supports schools’ access to services and funding (see separate article on special-education responsibilities).

Trustees approved a staff-recommended amendment to Lakes and Bridges Charter School’s charter goals so the alternative education campus can emphasize measurable student growth (NWEA MAP growth) and tiered instructional interventions rather than relying solely on achievement metrics. Staff said the amendment was developed after the district’s goal workshop and in collaboration with school leadership and district accountability staff.

The board voted to deny the application submitted by Hope City Charter School for the February 2025 cycle. Staff reported the applicant had filed a submission that repeatedly referenced Richland School District 2 as its intended sponsor and confirmed the filing to PCSD was made in error; PCSD staff said they notified the South Carolina Department of Education and recommended denial “out of an abundance of caution.” The motion to deny carried after discussion with the board’s attorney about withdrawal procedures.

Trustees also approved staff’s recommendation to issue a notice of revocation for Palmetto Career Academy effective May 1, 2025. Kristen Farmer summarized findings from a special review that included failure to attend required trainings, lack of response to district oversight, board resignations without replacements, and missing pre-opening documentation (signed lease, enrollment procedures, marketing summary). PCSD staff said PCA had been unresponsive to inquiries and special-review notices.

The December 2024 financial report from Deputy Superintendent Nick Michael was accepted. Michael presented districtwide and district-office income statements and said state aid to classrooms comprises the majority of revenue sent to PCSD-authorized schools. He reported the district office’s estimated fund balance increased to $2,565,403 for December.

Board procedure and voting details: motions for each item were made and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote with “aye” recorded in the transcript; no roll-call tallies with member-by-member votes were recorded in the public transcript for these items.

Votes at a glance

- Felton Lab Charter School renewal contract (effective 07/01/2025): motion to grant Chair Mosteller authority to sign; approved. Motion text in packet: staff recommended approval of renewal contract and chair signature authorization. Presenter: Kristen Farmer.

- Lakes and Bridges Charter School goals amendment: motion to approve goals amendment as recommended by staff; approved. Presenter: PCSD authorization staff.

- Hope City Charter School application (Feb. 2025 cycle): motion to respectfully deny staff-recommended denial; approved. Staff rationale: applicant intended to seek sponsorship from a different district and the submission named Richland School District 2 throughout the application.

- Palmetto Career Academy notice of revocation (effective 05/01/2025): motion to proceed with notice of revocation as recommended by staff; approved. Staff cited failures to meet pre-opening requirements and unresponsiveness during a special review.

- December 2024 financial report: motion to accept staff report; approved. Presenter: Nick Michael, Deputy Superintendent of Financial Services.

Discussion and next steps: staff said no votes were taken in the board’s earlier executive session. Staff indicated they will continue monitoring pre-opening conditions for year-0 schools and will bring further recommendations to the board where required.

Sources: public proceedings of the Feb. 13, 2025 PCSD board meeting, presentations and motions read into the record.