PCSD board approves Medicaid contract shift for Meyer Center, conditionally OKs Horse Creek expansion and approves FY27 budget

The South Carolina Public Charter School District board approved multiple action items at its June 11 meeting, including a contract amendment for Meyer Center for Special Children, conditional approval of a large facility expansion for a newly added school, several charter amendments, and the district’s FY27 general fund budget third reading.

Meyer Center Medicaid contract amendment Staff explained a technical amendment to the Meyer Center for Special Children contract that moves Medicaid services and the attendant hard costs to the Meyer Center while preserving legally required district oversight and the district’s NPI billing role. Eric (staff), who pinch‑hit for the expected presenter, described how Medicaid billing rules require the district to retain an NPI in the billing chain and explained the proposed allocation of operational responsibility and financial risk.

Staff recommendation and vote: PCSD staff recommended approval. A board member moved and the motion was seconded; the chair put the motion to a voice vote and the amendment was approved with no opposition.

Horse Creek Academy facility expansion (conditional approval) Horse Creek Academy in Aiken requested approval for a facility expansion to support projected enrollment growth that would add approximately 25,000 square feet for a competition gymnasium, classrooms, CTE‑ready instructional spaces, expanded parking, athletic field lighting and a community pavilion. The school reported it currently serves roughly 1,380 students and estimates project costs between $9.5 million and $11.5 million.

PCSD staff’s review: Staff found Horse Creek financially compliant with low internal risk but noted the submitted financial projections did not yet include the anticipated debt service tied to proposed bond financing. Staff recommended conditional approval pending submission and staff verification of revised financial projections that incorporate final bond debt costs.

Board action: The board voted to conditionally approve Horse Creek’s facility expansion subject to staff review and approval of revised projections incorporating bond debt service.

Midlands Middle College grade expansion Midlands Middle College requested to add ninth grade beginning in the 2026–27 school year, starting with a phased enrollment that would not immediately include dual‑enrollment coursework for the new 9th graders. Staff reviewed enrollment projections, mission updates and financial sustainability and recommended approval.

Board action: The board voted to approve the Midlands Middle College charter amendment to expand grades served from 10–12 to 9–12.

Financial reports and FY27 budget third reading Chief of financial services (Steven Strawther) and Finance staff (Nick Michael) reported the May 2026 financial statement: through May 31 PCSD recorded $27.7 million in revenue and $207.3 million in expenditures with a net year‑to‑date gain of $381,172. The board accepted the May 2026 financial report by voice vote.

During the third reading of the FY27 general fund budget, staff presented a conservative revenue estimate for the district office fund of $7.8 million and proposed a 3% cost‑of‑living increase for staff and an increase in essential FTEs from 38 to 45 to support expanded operations. The board approved the third reading as recommended by staff.

Procedural governance item: board elections Following a recent policy change allowing elections to be scheduled any time before the end of the calendar year, the board moved to reschedule its elections to a date to be selected by the board at the August meeting. The motion passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Agenda approval (consent): approved by voice vote (no opposition). (SEG 118–129) - Minutes approval (May 14, 2026) with attendance correction: approved. (SEG 130–145) - Meyer Center Medicaid contract amendment: approved by voice vote (no opposition). (SEG 432–559) - Horse Creek Academy facility expansion amendment: conditionally approved pending revised financial projections with bond debt service included. (SEG 565–736) - Midlands Middle College amendment (add 9th grade): approved. (SEG 737–885) - May 2026 financial report: accepted as presented. (SEG 888–1013) - FY27 general fund budget (third reading): approved. (SEG 1016–1120) - Reschedule board elections to a date before the end of the year (decided in August): approved. (SEG 1126–1241)

What the votes mean The Meyer Center amendment shifts operational and financial responsibility for Medicaid services to the school while retaining legally required district oversight; staff billed through the district’s NPI will remain part of the compliance structure. Horse Creek’s approval allows the school to move forward with project planning but requires the school to return financial projections that include debt service before final acceptance of the financing plan. The budget vote implements the district office’s FY27 staffing and compensation plan and carries the staff recommendation for a 3% cost‑of‑living increase.

Ending Board members thanked presenters and staff; the meeting adjourned after the listed action items were approved and the board announced a planned August board retreat to set an elections date and conduct strategic planning.