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Board approves Fox Creek’s plan to add middle school starting 2026
Summary
The SC Public Charter School District board approved Fox Creek’s amendment to add grades 6–8 beginning in the 2026 school year, citing community demand and a secured USDA Rural Development loan to build a 55,000 sq ft facility; trustees asked questions about declining reserves and construction logistics.
The South Carolina Public Charter School District Board of Trustees approved Fox Creek High School’s amendment to add a middle school serving grades 6–8, with an initial projected enrollment of about 400 students in 2026 and growth to 600 by 2031.
Kristin Farmer, chief of authorization and development, told trustees Fox Creek is “a high performing school in North Augusta” that opened in 2012, renewed its charter in 2019 and currently serves roughly 660 students. She said the school has secured a $21,500,000 USDA Rural Development loan to construct a 55,000-square-foot middle school on its existing property, scheduled to open in 2026, and that staff recommended approval of the amendment.
Josh Trahan, Fox Creek’s executive director, answered trustee questions about finances and enrollment, saying the school “started with about a 118 kids, and now we’re close to 700.” He explained recent capital projects (a turf field, bleachers and scoreboard) and said those projects contributed to a decline in fund balance; he outlined steps to manage debt service and staffing as enrollment ramps up. Trustees pressed on items including the fund-balance dip and utility/road access issues tied to the new site; Trahan described work to resolve sewage access and DOT turn-lane requirements.
After trustee discussion, a motion to approve the Fox Creek amendment was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
The board’s approval allows Fox Creek to proceed with the middle-school expansion under the conditions discussed; district staff will continue oversight of financial projections and preopening conditions as the project advances.
