Board ratifies supplement to school investigation and authorizes $10,000 FOIA settlement

The Southampton County Board of Supervisors voted to ratify a supplemental report to an external investigation of the county public schools and thereafter authorized the county administrator to execute a settlement agreement resolving FOIA litigation with the school division that will provide $10,000 to the county.

External counsel summarized the supplement, which addressed a ledger item referenced in the report as "Ryan Lupton/Wells Fargo." Counsel said Mr. Lupton contacted the investigative team and explained that he and his former employer, Wells Fargo, had participated in an employee-giving campaign that matched donations to nonprofits and that his donation to Southampton High School ultimately supported resurfacing tennis courts, books and computers.

Members of the public used the meeting to press for deeper accountability. Jane Riddick Fries urged the county attorney and Commonwealth's attorney to pursue a forensic audit with state police; others recounted alleged management problems, grant irregularities and school-condition concerns. County staff and outside counsel recommended ratifying the supplement and releasing it publicly, which the board did.

Later in the meeting the board instructed the county administrator to execute a settlement and release resolving the county’s FOIA litigation with the school division. Counsel described the settlement as a $10,000 payment to the county in exchange for the school division’s agreement not to appeal an earlier court order; the board approved the authorization by voice vote.