SC Public Charter School District renews McGuireWoods government-relations contract

The South Carolina Public Charter School District board voted Dec. 11 to renew a contract with McGuireWoods for government‑relations and advocacy services.

District staff member Chris Neely told trustees the firm “has been with us for the past 6 years” and will add two team members to support lobbying efforts during a session expected to include debates over the state funding formula, an infrastructure bank bill to expand facility funding for charter schools, accountability legislation and transportation access for school buses. Neely said the district’s recent work secured diesel-fuel access for charter school buses and that additional capacity at McGuireWoods will help defend prior gains.

Board members moved and seconded the recommendation; the chair called a voice vote and recorded the ayes, with no opposition noted. Neely framed the renewal as part of an effort to protect school autonomy and funding, saying McGuireWoods helped secure a funding‑formula change three years ago that the district expects to defend in the coming session.

The contract renewal authorizes continued government-relations representation and the addition of two firm staff to the team supporting the district. The board did not provide detailed budget breakout or the contract dollar amount during the meeting. The vote was taken by voice and carried without a recorded roll-call tally in the transcript.

The district expects McGuireWoods to represent its priorities at the state level for the upcoming legislative session.