[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6636471,"mediaKeyId","2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3","parentId",2609649,"title","PCSD trustees approve superintendent evaluation and several charter actions; finance report accepted","audioSeconds",1197,"startMs",5756000,"endMs",6953000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3&start=5756&end=6953","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3/thumbnail_5756000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636471/South-Carolina/PCSD-trustees-approve-superintendent-evaluation-and-several-charter-actions-finance-report-accepted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636471-796ca23913aea1543d374e340660756b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960798&Signature=d4aRGp2B7TT2VWCMTYBwEL55PwKt~2N2w0R9vGz~TJy2Hkxb2uclkLuHOMRupVavWfx0Mf54vkLIBM-Jp4LJtSAHbhOFD~d836HNUHcK7yzzwLoLVnYCDVLUzGFCfMbqxB6Pk8vrALEvbT3Qig2VgQNzATf1RsJBwcgdNckCSs2KWdjxCleHAkfSo~uVW1ZoTGKHTiA0bZj9dnTycSv4BSmn6Cz72R7wmva4e6phb8IoZCc9CxJ2z63114aP2HfA19JodprkVZOyaaSA2qBAujXnniLBvEBRCHGakJAVVxkHUA33S4NZC~8oWeyBeuRJq~Ks7~Roewug~u1xCWPIIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","SC Public Charter School District","date","2025-03-13T17:17:23.947Z","article","The South Carolina Public Charter School District board on March 13 approved a series of motions including the superintendent's performance evaluation and a salary amendment, accepted two voluntary school application withdrawals or relinquishments, approved a goal amendment for Greenville Tech Charter High School, denied one charter application and accepted the district's January financial report.

The board reported it took no votes during the executive session but returned to the public meeting where a motion to approve the superintendent's evaluation passed and a subsequent motion to amend the superintendent's salary also carried. Board members indicated unanimous voice votes; no roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting transcript.

PCSD staff presented an action to approve a goal amendment for Greenville Tech Charter High School, which serves approximately 525 students on the Barton campus of Greenville Technical College. PCSD staff said the amendment responds to the school's historically high performance and recent state assessment fluctuations; the board approved the amendment after brief discussion.

PCSD staff also presented three charter-related motions: acceptance of the withdrawal of Midlands Acceleration Academy's replication application (submitted by the South Carolina Acceleration Academy and withdrawn by the applicant), acceptance of the voluntary relinquishment of PD Hall's charter (originally approved 04/27/2023 with a planned opening in 2024–25), and denial of the Watson Middle School charter application. The board accepted the Midlands withdrawal and PD Hall relinquishment and voted to deny Watson Middle School's application.

The board approved the district's January 2025 financial report. PCSD finance staff reported the district received roughly $117.8 million in revenue through Jan. 31 and had total expenditures of approximately $117.7 million, yielding a modest net gain for the period; the district office reported a net gain that increased its beginning fund balance by about $100,809 for the fiscal year.

Votes at a glance (motions taken during the meeting):
- Approve superintendent performance evaluation — motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"aye\"; outcome: approved (no roll-call tally provided).
- Amend superintendent salary — motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"aye\"; outcome: approved.
- Approve Greenville Tech Charter High School goal amendment (action item B) — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved.
- Accept withdrawal of Midlands Acceleration Academy replication application (action item C) — motion made and seconded; outcome: accepted.
- Accept voluntary relinquishment of PD Hall charter and contract (action item D) — motion made and seconded; outcome: accepted.
- Deny Watson Middle School charter application (action item E) — motion made and seconded; outcome: denied.
- Accept January 2025 financial report (month-end 01/31/2025) — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved.

The board recorded voice votes for approvals and did not provide detailed roll-call tallies in the public transcript. When motions lacked named movers or seconds in the record, the transcript shows the board proceeding with the standard motion-second-vote sequence and announcing the motion carried.

The board's actions affect pending applications in the 2025 charter cycle (Midlands and Watson), an approved charter that later relinquished its contract (PD Hall), and an existing charter's performance goals (Greenville Tech). PCSD staff noted Greenville Tech's revised goals emphasize maintaining high performance (a graduation-rate goal of 98 percent or higher and other benchmarks) in light of larger, more diverse graduating classes and recent assessment changes.

The board's approval of the month-end financial report moves the district into the next phase of budget season; staff said they will present the first budget reading at the April board meeting.

Provenance:
Topic intro: transcript block starting at 5756.4497 — \"I will now make a motion to approve the evaluation.\" (topicintro)
Topic finish: transcript block starting at 6951.945 — \"All in favor, please indicate by saying aye.\" (topicfinish)

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 13th, 2025 - SC Public Charter School District Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The South Carolina Public Charter School District board on March 13 approved the superintendent's performance evaluation and salary amendment, accepted a pair of charter withdrawals/terminations, approved a goal amendment for Greenville Tech Charter High School and accepted the district's January financial report.","taxTitle","SC Public Charter School District, School Districts, South Carolina","taxId",14922,"location","South Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6636460,"PCSD financial, legislative and operational updates: January finances, staffing for external affairs and IT, and internal risk assessment",1405,6719000,8124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3&start=6719&end=8124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3/thumbnail_6719000.jpg","/articles/6636460/South-Carolina/PCSD-financial-legislative-and-operational-updates-January-finances-staffing-for-external-affairs-and-IT-and-internal-risk-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636460-7fd6e16d01b0dbf84a16a8e8d4bdfbaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960798&Signature=U0Xl-c2eREabZxbLMhty9vkgbQ1Tr-6E8n1SqaUSjon9BAMh553sykowbdJ6baULf4TQp9tcp7Z6SZSHsfUVxhhBfT6ejvCOBd0hX341BUcfXQEiTrkcPpBKzhe74CjfQV-jIoUxn5pLVCCE7p8-27YGlOTL4lo7~vo~ciCa9zYM7XJ6dm0owjrxqE69ge3aD5gPnw~wv1wygDnUj7MHGxA25JePso7D~8ssMszjqTph8~EdCXkMsjxjRpyuDV1gRdLeGaMvKD~-M40TFqSAKeAVYTL3wvDy41L0GL5OE1Oxpg3fzFHb5KGXrhiqLkruzI0MfjS3dzumEMAEVcTuIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the March 13 meeting, South Carolina Public Charter School District finance and operations staff updated trustees on January finances, legislative developments, organizational staffing, and a new internal risk-assessment tool for school finances.

Finance director Nick Michael told trustees that through Jan. 31 the district had received about $117.8 million in revenue and incurred roughly $117.7 million in expenditures, producing a net gain of approximately $90,169 for the period. He also said the district office recorded about $488,000 in revenue and $434,000 in expenditures for January, increasing the beginning fund balance by $100,809 for the fiscal year. Michael said approximately 97.44 percent of the district's state revenue allocation is categorized under state aid to classrooms.

Michael requested board approval of the January financial report; trustees moved, seconded and approved the report by voice vote. Michael also said the district is beginning the FY2026 budget season and will present the first budget reading at the April board meeting.

The board heard from Brad Henry in external affairs about several legislative developments, including that two pieces of education legislation had passed both chambers so far in the 2025 session (one an ESA voucher bill that still requires reconciliation between House and Senate changes, and one bill granting excused absences for students participating in FFA or 4-H). Henry said PCSD and legislators are pursuing a study committee on charter school transportation and that legislation to allow a military preference in charter enrollment (to permit preference for children of active-duty military stationed in South Carolina) had passed the House and advanced in the Senate.

Superintendent Chris Neely outlined operational priorities, including plans to bring PowerSchool and data services in-house after having relied on an out-of-state vendor. Neely said doing so will increase district control and accountability for data and IT services. He also celebrated partner engagements and fundraising at Liberty STEAM Charter School and emphasized the district’s commitment to accountability and stewardship of public funds.

Financial services staff presented a new internal risk assessment (IRA) tool developed to rate school financial performance using audited metrics (examples include days cash on hand, audit findings, compliance with required fund-balance minimums and whether a school met prior-year instruction-per-base-student cost). Applying the tool to 2023–24 data, staff reported that six schools rated high risk, eight rated medium and 25 rated low; staff said they will target support for schools with medium and high risk scores and compare financial risk to academic performance.

PCSD’s support team also provided a brief overview of federal Title II allocations for FY25 (district-level allocation $528,000) and noted continued partnerships with NIET (National Institute for Excellence in Teaching) and other instructional supports.

Provenance:
Topic intro: transcript block starting at 6719.6104 — \"Thank you. Good morning, madam chair and board members. At the January...\" (topicintro)
Topic finish: transcript block starting at 8123.15 — \"Good afternoon.\" (topicfinish)

","PCSD finance director reported a net gain for January 2025 and an increase to the district office fund balance; board heard updates on external affairs staffing and legislative tracking, plans to bring PowerSchool services in-house, and a new internal financial risk-assessment tool.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6636465,"PCSD denies Watson Middle School charter application, staff cites need and financial deficiencies",253,6423000,6676000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3&start=6423&end=6676","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2609649-a5826a90099b90287e73c54c45cf42a3/thumbnail_6423000.jpg","/articles/6636465/South-Carolina/PCSD-denies-Watson-Middle-School-charter-application-staff-cites-need-and-financial-deficiencies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636465-275593d15fddb3b4a0b4d7b2523303b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770960798&Signature=RRQScAC4CNIOXb4SlyqQneEbBq8U-VlHCP~Ylmk9NyLMIPqrQGmPZacptqqjZMpT3scfK9xZuzPM6KOKt2iiR1MpJLN2fs2RW8~swpiiVYA-roR2kP98C0ohZ3Xm2HK2AJg~qDtOrU9IBHhYvAv3IAErPPOpL7CrzxfkIgPHg7a3c7nCVCn7b9g8Zgss6LugeNtdsxlfb0XVlvyfALcD-te1t-aRuXo96ZTmjKRu0nWCMIBNhGANKyB6SX2zTEuA67cpPWc4ajsR8e1oD~6TWn9-29t2N-fjjzWMTEeOLHjxQZrZfO6QB2uJaaj7fFngMM6v0Sgb-tbrggGaSRkLbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Carolina Public Charter School District board voted on March 13 to deny the Watson Middle School charter application for the 2025 application year after PCSD staff presented a packet of findings alleging multiple statutory and regulatory deficiencies.

PCSD staff summarized the application review in the board memo and recommended denial. \"PCSD staff recommends that the board of trustees deny the Watson Middle School charter application,\" a staff presenter said during the meeting.

Staff findings cited deficiencies in evidence of parent and community demand as required by South Carolina Code §59-40-60(f)(4). The application’s interest table — submitted after a completeness check flagged it — did not align with the district’s online interest form data, and staff said the applicant admitted to difficulties securing parental commitments and could not justify projected enrollment numbers.

Staff also raised concerns about the proposed facility. The application proposed a site at 2706 Ashland Road, which staff reported is about 0.2 miles from 7 Oaks Elementary School and lies within Lexington-Richland School District 5, a high-performing district with middle schools nearby. PCSD staff noted potential logistical challenges with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and said the applicant’s reference to out-of-district enrollment conflicted with the Charter Act's statewide enrollment requirement.

On financial viability, PCSD staff identified inconsistent budgeting and an unaccounted-for employer retirement contribution that the memo estimated could create a roughly $4.4 million shortfall over 10 years. Staff also reported the budget projected a deficit in eight of the proposed 10 years and an excessive administrative plan that would add two principals and six vice principals by year eight, while staffing for the school’s stated STEM focus appeared insufficient. Staff flagged a conflict of interest because the proposed facility was owned by the planning committee chair; the lease agreement projected about $4,200,000 in payments to the chair over 10 years.

Based on these concerns — evidence of need, location feasibility, and financial viability — PCSD staff recommended denial and the board voted to deny the application. The meeting transcript records the motion, a second, and the voice vote recorded as \"yes\" with the chair announcing the motion carried.

Provenance:
Topic intro: transcript block starting at 6423.5347 — \"Trustees, please draw your attention to action item E as I present a summary of the board memo.\" (topicintro)
Topic finish: transcript block starting at 6673.5947 — \"The motion carries.\" (topicfinish)

","The South Carolina Public Charter School District board voted March 13 to deny the Watson Middle School charter application after staff concluded the submission failed to meet statutory requirements on evidence of need, facility feasibility and financial viability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PCSD trustees approve superintendent evaluation and several charter actions; finance report accepted

PCSD financial, legislative and operational updates: January finances, staffing for external affairs and IT, and internal risk assessment

PCSD denies Watson Middle School charter application, staff cites need and financial deficiencies