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Will Lou Gray Opportunity School describes enrollment rebound, vocational partnerships to lawmakers
Summary
Robert Coller, new lead for the Will Lou Gray Opportunity School, told the subcommittee the school is rebuilding following pandemic losses, is not requesting funds this year, and emphasized GED attainment, vocational 'stackable' credentials and partnerships with Midlands Technical College.
Robert Coller, the recently appointed head of the Will Lou Gray Opportunity School, told the House Ways and Means education subcommittee the agency is in a period of reassessment and is not seeking new funding this year but hopes to present measurable outcomes next year.
"We are not requesting anything. Our main goal here is to say thank you," Coller said, adding that the agency is taking stock of resources to produce "justifiable data proving what we're doing." He noted staff are focusing on accountability, efficiency and measurable outcomes.
Coller described student counts and program structure: he said the program currently has 45 students enrolled in the active cycle and that the agency served roughly 325 students in the prior fiscal year after recovering from COVID‑era declines. He said the school serves 16‑ to 19‑year‑old South Carolina residents and offers vocational training and credentialing pathways that he called "stackables," with immediate links to Midlands Technical College and local workforce placements.
Committee members praised the agency's work and asked about recruitment and selection. Coller said students come for varied reasons—guidance counselors, parents, social media outreach, or as an alternative for those who have not thrived in traditional public high schools—and the school has improved outreach by boosting social media and updating its website.
Coller also acknowledged the late Pat G. Smith, a long‑time Will Lou Gray leader who died in July; Coller said he aims to continue that legacy while increasing accountability and measurable returns on state investment.
The subcommittee did not take any formal action during the appearance; Coller said he would return next year with more detailed, data‑driven proposals.
