Charter Application  

Want to read our promise to the Sumter community in our state-approved charter application? Click here. 

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Title IX 

Liberty STEAM Charter School is committed to providing equal access to educational and employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity status, spousal affiliation, or any other protected characteristic, as may be required by law. As required by Title IX and its implementing regulations, 106.8(b)(2)(i), LSC does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities.  Our board policy outlines the district's compliance with the regulation.

In addition, LSC is committed to providing a work and scholar environment that is free of sexual harassment and will not tolerate sexual harassment activity by any school employee, substitute employee, student or third party. We will act quickly and impartially to address claims of sexual harassment and discrimination and remedy the discriminatory effects of inappropriate acts of discrimination. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, which is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

 

• An employee of the school conditioning the provision of aid, benefit, or service of the school on participation in unwelcome conduct;

• Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the school's education program or activity;

• Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, as defined by applicable law.

LSC's grievance process will:

• Treat parties equitably.

• Require an objective evaluation of all relevant evidence, including both inculpatory and exculpatory evidence.

• Require that any person designated as a Title IX coordinator, investigator, decision-maker, or any person designated to facilitate an informal process not have a conflict of interest against complainants or respondents generally or against the particular complainant and respondent. The District will ensure required training is provided to these individuals.

• Include a presumption that the respondent is not responsible for the alleged conduct until a determination has been made at the conclusion of the grievance process.

• Include reasonably prompt time frames for the conclusion of the grievance process.

• Describe or list the possible disciplinary outcomes and remedies that may be implemented following a determination of responsibility.

• Include the procedures and permissible reasons for appeal by a respondent or a complainant.

• Describe the range of supportive measures available to complainants and respondents.

• Not require, allow or use evidence or questions that constitute or seek legally privileged information, unless the privilege is waived.

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Complaint forms can be accessed here. 

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Inquiries or complaints about Title IX, sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual misconduct may be directed to the school’s Title IX administrators. 

 

​LSC Title IX Team

• Coordinator   Hope Broadway

• Deputy Coordinators   Sally Harris & LeAndrea Montgomery

• Investigator   Hope Broadway     

• Decision Maker   Dr. Trevor Ivey 

• Appeals Decision Maker   Betty Bagley

• Informal Resolution Facilitators   Hope Broadway & Dr. Trevor Ivey

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A complaint form can be found here. 

Reporting Claims of Harassment/Discrimination
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address or by mail to the office address listed for the Title IX Coordinator. 

School Response
After a report of sexual harassment has been made, the school and/or Title IX Coordinator will reach out to the individual affected by the alleged misconduct, provide supportive measures, discuss the grievance policy, and offer the opportunity for the complainant to file a formal complaint if the behavior meets the Title IX definition of sexual harassment. If a formal complaint is filed, appropriate steps will be taken to investigate. Upon completing the investigation, the outcome will be shared with all stakeholders.
Complaint forms and training materials used to train LSC Title IX personnel. Certifications can be accessed here.   

 

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Parents' Right To Know

In compliance with the requirements of the Every Students Succeeds Act, Liberty STEAM Charter School would like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/or other instructional staff members. To read more.

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Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation

The Bullying, Harassment or Intimidation Reporting Form should be used to report alleged incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation that occurred during the current school year on school property, at a school-sponsored activity or event off school property, on the way to and/or from school, or through personal mobile device on or off school property. School staff will address incidents that occur at school or have a connection or nexus back to the school setting that create a risk of harm to other students while they are at school or interfere with the educational environment.

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To anonymously report incidents of harassment, intimidation, & bullying, please complete this form. 

 

For additional information or questions, contact the following: 

 

Primary Academy   

Shereza Middleton

smiddleton@libertysteamcharter.org

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Elementary Academy

Micah Vaughn

mvaugn@libertysteamcharter.org 

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Federal Title Funding Programs

LSC is proud to be designated a Title I school. The purpose of Title I, Part A is to help qualifying schools improve teaching and learning in high-poverty schools and help children failing or most at risk of failing meet challenging state academic standards. For the 2023-24 school year, LSC's title  allocations are as follows:

 

Title I   $107,100

Title II   $7,494.53

Title III   $1,000

Title IV   $12,907.47

TOTAL  $128,502.01

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On June 26, 2023, LSC's Board of Directors approved the Federal Funding Allocations.

 

You can find all Title I, II, III and IV documents here, including the budget allocation, needs assessment, plan, home-school compact, and family engagement policy by clicking here. LSC's Title I coordinator is Tanya Peckham, and can be contacted via email.

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McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance
In December of 2001, Congress strengthened a law giving children and youth in a homeless situation the right to go to school, no matter where they live or how long they live there.

 

The law is called the McKinney-Vento Act, and it gives children and youth in homeless situations the right to:

• Stay in their school even if they move.

• Enroll in a new school without proof of residency, immunizations, school records or other papers.

• Get transportation to school.

• Go to pre-school programs.

• Get all the school services they need.

• Have disagreements with schools settled quickly.

• Go to their school of origin while disagreements are settled.

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The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law, passed in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. Part of the law protects the rights of children and youth who are homeless to go to school. The law says that a child or youth without a fixed, regular and adequate residence is homeless. It does not matter how long the child or youth has been without a home. It also does not matter if the child or youth is living with a parent or is separated from parents.

 

Under the Act, students are homeless if they are:

• Living with a friend, relative or someone else because they lost their home or can’t afford a home;

• Staying in a motel or hotel due to lack of affordable housing;

• Living in an emergency or transitional shelter or a domestic violence shelter;

• Staying in substandard housing;

• Living in a car, park, public place, abandoned building or bus or train station;

• Awaiting foster care placement;

• Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home;

• Abandoned in a hospital; or

• Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter.

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Migrant children, pre-school children, and youth on their own are covered if they fit into one of these categories. Runaway youth can be considered homeless even if their families want them to come home. Students who live in any public or private place that is not supposed to be a regular residence is covered.
According to the approved board policy, homeless students being served at LSC will have access to the education and other services needed to ensure that an opportunity is available to meet the same academic achievement standards to which all students are held.

LSC will ensure that homeless students are not stigmatized nor segregated on the basis of their status as homeless. A homeless student will be admitted to LSC in alignment with the school’s established enrollment policy. Transportation will be provided to and from the student’s current school of origin at the request of the parent, or in the case of an unaccompanied student, the district’s liaison for homeless students.

Click here to access LSC’s board-approved policy and supplemental resources regarding compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act. 

For more information, contact Dr. Trevor Ivey at (803) 316-7849.  

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National School Lunch Program

LSC is proud to participate in the Community Eligibility Program as a part of the National School Lunch Program. All scholars are able to receive breakfast and lunch at no charge. As a part of LSC's participation, all families must complete the Alternate Household Income Form at the beginning of the school year. 

 

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Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

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• FERPA Board Policy

• FERPA Letter

• FERPA POC Documentation 

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Special Education

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Special Education Policies & Procedures

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Medical Homebound

Under S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 43-241, students who cannot attend public school because of illness, accident, or pregnancy, even with the aid of transportation, are eligible for medical homebound or hospitalized instruction. A physician must certify the student is unable to attend school but may profit from instruction given in the home or hospital. Should an approved student not be provided the medical homebound instruction that he or she is entitled to receive, the student is eligible to have the medical homebound instruction made up by the district. This makeup may occur during the student’s remaining eligibility for medical homebound instruction or may occur after the student returns to school provided the make-up periods are not during the regular school day. 

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Under S.C. Code Ann. § 59-40-50(B)(1), a charter school must adhere to the same health, safety, civil rights, and disability rights requirements as are applied to public schools operating in the same school district or, in the case of the South Carolina Public Charter School District or a public or independent institution of higher learning sponsor, the local school district in which the charter school is located.

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When it is determined by a licensed medical professional that a student will be out of school for greater than ten (10) days or on an “ongoing intermittent basis,” the student may be eligible for home or hospital instruction. An “ongoing intermittent basis” means that the student’s medical condition is of such a chronic or severe nature that it is anticipated that the student will be absent from school due to the medical condition periodically throughout the school year. There is no requirement that a student be absent from school a minimum number of days or multiple days before the child qualifies for intermittent home or hospital instruction.

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Click here for the medical homebound form that must be completed and certified by the scholar's physician to be considered for medical homebound services.

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Medical Homebound School Contact

Nicky Pack

npack@libertysteamcharter.org

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Appeal Process

If medical homebound is denied to the student an appeal can be executed by the parent/guardian or student (if 18 years of age).

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1. An appeal in writing to the Special Populations  Coordinator at Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) can be submitted when homebound services are denied.

2. The Special Populations Coordinator along with the Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) Homebound Review Team will meet within five calendar days from receipt of written statement of concern and/or request for an appeal.

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The Liberty STEAM Charter (LSC) Home Bound Review Team will issue a written notice of its decision regarding the written statement of concern and/or request for an appeal within three school days from the date of the meeting.

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Possip: Collecting Regular Feedback from Parents & Staff

Liberty STEAM Charter School contacts families and staff by text message and email using a service called Possip, also used by more than 1,300 schools and almost one million people across the country.

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LSC uses Possip to ask for and receive feedback on your happiness and experience with our schools. LSC and Possip do not share any of your information and we follow federal regulations on student and user privacy.

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LSC has the ability to send text messages via Possip. Text messages are used to gather feedback, praise, questions and ideas from you and you may participate anonymously each and every time you share. You may also opt out of receiving text messages and still share by email. 

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To learn more about Possip, visit www.possip.com. 

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To sign up to receive Possip text messages, click here.

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Twice a month, parents & staff will receive a text with a link to complete the survey. The survey is only a few questions with an option to provide additional feedback. The survey should take as little as one minute to complete.

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A quick video from Possip walking you through the process. There is also a set of multilingual letters for parents on how it works as well. 

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Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Learn more about LSC's comprehensive plan to ensure scholars are provided with the right tiered support to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.

 

For the 2022-23 school year, our MTSS Intervention Team includes a support team of six educators - three to support culture and three to support academics.

 

Questions can be directed to Emily Hatfield at ehatfield@libertysteamcharter.org. 

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Wellness Policy 

Liberty STEAM Charter is committed to every scholar's optimal physical and academic development.

 

For scholars to achieve personal, educational, developmental, and social success, we must create positive, safe, and health-promoting learning environments at every level, in every setting, throughout the school year. Liberty STEAM Charter is committed to continuing its health and wellness efforts with other school improvement endeavors to ensure all scholars' optimal health and academic success.

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Our Local Wellness Policy (LWP) outlines Liberty STEAM Charter's approach to ensuring that the school environment provides opportunities for all scholars to practice healthy eating and physical activity throughout the school day. This policy applies to all scholars and staff.

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Current Fiscal Year Organization Budget  

As part of Proviso 1.3 from the SC state budget passed in July 2022, public schools are required to post their organizational budget to be publicly available. View our FY25 BUDGET.

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Financial Audits  

As a public school and non-prof Oct organization, Liberty STEAM is required to undergo an annual audit of its financial operations by a licensed, independent firm. View their audit findings:

• FY2022 Financial Audit

• FY2023 Financial Audit 

• FY2024 Financial Audit

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SC School Report Cards

You can view LSC’s School Report Card issued by the SC Department of Education by clicking here.

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2024-2025 Testing Dates

 

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
August 1—October 4

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HMH Universal Screener (Kindergarten & 1st)

​August 19-29

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Fall MAP
PA - August 20-22
EA- August 13-15

 

CoGAT (2nd Grade)
October 15, 16, & 17

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Iowa Basic Skills (2nd Grade)
October 21 & 22
*Make-up testing for CogAT and IOWA: October 24, 25, 28, & 29

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Winter MAP
PA - Dec. 10-12
EA- Dec. 10-12
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ACCESS Testing for English Language Learners 
January 21, 2025 - March 7, 2025

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SC Performance Task Assessment (Gifted & Talented)
Feb. 24-27 

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Spring MAP
PA: May 13-15
EA: 2nd grade   April 29-May1
3rd & 4th grades   April 1-3
 
SC READY

May 6-8, 13
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ACCESS Testing Window
Window is Jan 21-March 7

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School Volunteers

A volunteer is an adult who is not employed by the school and who serves on an occasional or regular basis in the school setting to assist the professional staff. A volunteer gives his or her time for the purpose of helping children through planned auxiliary services and serves without receiving compensation or economic benefits. View our volunteer policy 

Apply to become a volunteer

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Equal Employment Opportunity

LSC provides equal opportunities for employment and advancement of all members of its workforce.  The LSC Board recognizes that it is both culturally and educationally sound to employ persons of diverse backgrounds.

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As required by applicable local, state, and federal laws, LSC will recruit, hire, train, promote, and make other employment decisions on the basis of individual merit and without discrimination because of race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, color, disability, age, genetic information, national origin, military or veteran status, or any other applicable status protected by local, state, or federal law.

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LSC shall maintain a policy of equal opportunity in the following areas: 

• Recruitment and job advertisements

• Selection and hiring criteria and practices

• Job classifications

• Promotion

• Demotions, terminations, and layoffs

• Compensation

• Terms, conditions, benefits, and privileges of employment

• Training

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Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.  

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Anyone who violates this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment.  Employees who believe a violation of this policy has occurred should report such violation to their supervisor or file a grievance in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Employee Grievance Policy.

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Equal Educational Opportunities

The LSC Board believes that Liberty STEAM Charter must provide public education in an atmosphere where differences are understood and appreciated, and all persons are treated fairly, with respect, and without discrimination or threats of violence or abuse.

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Every student of this school will have equal educational opportunities regardless of immigrant status, English-speaking status, ethnic or racial background, religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and economic or social conditions. Liberty STEAM Charter will not refuse to admit or exclude any person based on the above criteria.

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This concept of equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the LSC Board and the administration in making decisions related to school facilities, employment of personnel, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students.

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It will be the Executive Director’s responsibility to develop a plan and provide procedures to assure support of this policy.  The Executive Director will be responsible for working with the staff and the students to ensure equal opportunity for all students in all programs and activities.

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English Learners and Migrant Students

A student will not be denied enrollment due to the lack of proof of immigration status.  Only the following documents are required for enrollment:

• Immunization records (DHEC allows a 30-day waiver for student to present records or to begin immunizations), or for students who oppose a required immunization because of a sincerely held religious belief, a completed, signed, and notarized South Carolina Certificate of Religious Exemption

• Birth certificate or proof of age (required for first-time enrollment of children entering kindergarten or first grade)

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English learners (ELs) should be placed with students of the same age so that they receive full and appropriate opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic content and student academic achievement standards. 

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ELs and migrant students are eligible to participate in all age-appropriate school programs and to receive all available services.

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Erin & Gavin's Law

Learn more about LSC's implementation of Erin & Gavin's Law. 

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Health Education

At LSC, physical education and health instruction are grounded in the SC College & Career Ready Physical Education standards. As part of the commitment to our parents in prioritizing physical education & health, scholars receive more than the state-required 150 minutes through daily recess (20 minutes) and 180 devoted minutes of planned physical education activities (of which 90 is in health education). Physical education activities, as stated in our charter application, include traditional physical education (sports, calisthenics, etc.) and non-traditional physical education (Ninja Warriors, mixed martial arts, etc.). To supplement instruction, LSC uses the McGraw Hill "Health & Wellness" textbooks. 

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PTO By-Laws & Oath of Office Form

Read our PTO's By-Laws & Oath of Office documents, here. 

 

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Read to Succeed Primary & Elementary

Literacy Reflection Tool 

Liberty STEAM Charter is required to post its annual reading plan that is aligned to the SC Read to the Succeed Act. Click here to read LSC's plan. ​