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Board presses APA on funding: 'the money follows the child' and local net-benefit concerns
Summary
Board members sought clarity on how APA would affect district revenues. APA said funding follows the child and cited per-student proposals; district staff explained audited per‑pupil totals and potential enrollment-related revenue loss.
Board members repeatedly questioned how the proposed charter would affect Cherokee County School District finances, asking for a clear net‑benefit analysis before authorizing APA. A board member summarized the concern: if 300 students attend the charter, state funding allocated per pupil could shift and reduce district revenue. Pat Hyatt responded that “the money follows the child,” but district finance staff countered that audited per‑pupil totals combine all funds and that a drop in enrollment reduces district resources.
During the exchange presenters and board members cited monetary figures: APA said it would receive roughly $7,900 per child in certain calculations while noting a figure of about $20,000 per pupil was used in some district audit comparisons. A planning committee member also told the board that a chartering district typically regains a small percentage back (a presenter estimated 2%) though the board asked for documented modeling to support that claim. Board members said they need a clearer fiscal model showing impacts on remaining district schools before making a decision.
