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After lengthy debate, Charles County board gives superintendent authority to let charter school manage transportation starting 2026‑27
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Summary
Following a detailed presentation and extended debate about costs, equity and notice to families, the board unanimously directed the superintendent to draft charter language that would let Phoenix International (Pesota) be responsible for its transportation beginning with the 2026‑27 school year; special‑education IEP transportation remains CCPS responsibility.
After more than two hours of presentation and board discussion on April 14, the Charles County Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize the superintendent to negotiate revised charter language that would let Phoenix International (Pesota) assume responsibility and flexibility for student transportation starting with the 2026‑27 school year.
Pesota representatives presented survey results showing that about 69–72% of families currently use district bus services and that many families would still try to attend Pesota if the district did not provide transport — but that some families said a loss of transportation would create a hardship and could reduce enrollment. Pesota asked the district to replace the mandatory $1,000 per‑student charge with a usage‑based model aligned with state funding ($550 per pupil) and sought authority to contract for transportation services directly.
District staff warned that CCPS already subsidizes transportation system‑wide and that shifting costs could require additional buses and drivers to provide door‑to‑door service. Staff described three service options (shuttle through zone schools, targeted shuttles for low‑density areas, or full direct service) and noted lead times for buses and drivers.
Board members raised multiple concerns: short notice to families if transportation were withdrawn, the district’s existing $4.5 million transportation deficit, equity between charter, private and zoned public schools, and the possible enrollment impacts if families could not manage new transportation arrangements.
After discussion, a motion carried unanimously directing the superintendent to draft amendments enabling Pesota to be responsible for transportation (excluding IEP‑mandated transport), with the change to begin in the 2026‑27 school year. The board also asked administration to return with proposed charter language and cost implications so the board could approve any final amendment.
Quotes that captured the debate included Pesota’s presentation: “We want to provide transportation to our families… but we need the flexibility to do so sustainably,” and the district’s warning that aligning per‑pupil charges with state funding would increase CCPS subsidy needs.
What happens next: the superintendent will work with Pesota to draft charter amendments reflecting the board’s direction; any final charter change will return to the board for formal approval and must include logistics and a timeline for family notification.
