South Carolina Public Charter School District renews Felton Laboratory Charter School contract

The South Carolina Public Charter School District board voted Jan. 9 to renew the charter for Felton Laboratory Charter School, a STEAM-focused K–8 school located on the South Carolina State University campus in Orangeburg.

PCSD staff presented a renewal recommendation after reviewing Felton’s academic, operational and financial performance. Kristin Farmer, chief of authorization and development, told the board that Felton “began serving students in grades K through 8 in 2015” and currently enrolls 277 students, with plans to increase enrollment to 352 by the 2027 school year.

The recommendation noted mixed academic results on state report cards. Farmer said elementary ratings fell from “excellent in 2023 to unsatisfactory in 2024” and middle school ratings fell from “average to below average.” The staff report also said Felton outperformed its residential district, Orangeburg County, in SC Ready ELA and math in 2024. Farmer summarized the staff recommendation: “Based on a comprehensive review of Felton's academic, operational and financial performance, we respectfully request a motion to approve Felton Lab Charter School's renewal.”

Felton leaders described steps intended to address the decline. Jean Graddick, director of Felton Laboratory Charter School, said the school is using interventions and staffing strategies to improve student growth and reduce attrition. Graddick described Felton as a STEAM school and said, “At Felton Laboratory Charter School, we believe a complete education must include all arts, dance, creative writing, music, theater, and visual arts.” She also described schoolwide interventions, professional learning communities and the planned full transition to i-Ready assessments in 2025.

Deborah Cooper Davis, chair of Felton’s board of directors, framed the renewal as preserving the school’s history and role in the community: “This renewal is not just about preserving a school, but safeguarding a 100 year plus legacy of excellence and commitment to our children.” A parent, Aretha Langston, told trustees she valued the school’s relationships with teachers and administrators and urged support for renewal.

On finances, PCSD staff said audited financials show a net increase in fund balance (approximately $75,000) and an increased cash balance of about $410,000 compared with the prior year as of Sept. 30, 2024. Farmer noted audit findings in 2021–2023 but said none were repeat findings and the 2024 audit was submitted on time.

Board members asked about partnerships (Claflin University and South Carolina State University), capital liabilities noted in the school’s materials and the school’s year-round calendar and intersession programming. Felton representatives said they are expanding university partnerships, plan to hire a multilingual learner instructor to address growing ML needs, and use intercessions supported by Title I and 21st Century grants for enrichment and intervention.

After discussion, a trustee moved to accept staff’s recommendation and a second was offered. The board then voted verbally in favor; the chair called for ayes and no members opposed. The motion passed and the board approved Felton Laboratory Charter School’s renewal.

The renewal preserves Felton's authorizer relationship with the PCSD and incorporates the academic and operational commitments described in the renewal packet, including the school’s stated goals to improve math and reading proficiency and to reduce faculty attrition through professional development and other interventions.

Looking ahead, Felton will continue implementation of i-Ready, expand targeted supports for multilingual learners and pursue deeper partnerships with nearby universities and local organizations.

Votes at a glance: Felton Laboratory Charter School renewal — motion to accept staff recommendation; moved and seconded during the Jan. 9 meeting; outcome: approved (verbal unanimous aye vote recorded on the floor).