Councilman Eugene R. Baten accuses Sumter County Council of systemic racism during meeting on protocol and school funding

Councilman Eugene R. Baten used a routine agenda item on meeting protocol at Sumter County Council’s July 11 regular session to deliver an extended critique of the council’s treatment of the county’s public schools and to accuse fellow members of systemic racism.

“Systemic racism is loud and well in this County,” Councilman Eugene R. Baten said as he recounted his tenure as council chair in 2011–2012, including negotiations that he said helped secure the Continental Tire investment and a later decision to recuse himself from a school millage vote because of pending litigation involving his daughter. He said he was blamed afterward for the School District not receiving requested millage and defended his earlier recusal as following Ethics Commission guidance.

Baten argued the School District has been chronically underfunded and urged the council to consider the living standards of school staff, saying many employees earn wages far below a $25,000-per-year threshold the county had set as a minimum for county positions. He told the chamber that “you need to know the truth behind this” and criticized council members who, he said, were unwilling to provide additional funding to the district when it sought it in prior years.

Several council members challenged elements of Baten’s remarks and pressed procedural and transparency questions. Councilman Carlton B. Washington asked how a Special Meeting that preceded the regular session was noticed; Chairman James T. McCain and Clerk Mary W. Blanding said the Special Meeting and a revised agenda were posted in keeping with the Freedom of Information Act. Communications Director Joe Perry said he posted the agenda after receiving it; County Administrator Gary Mixon said he would address any concerns about staff communications protocols.

Clerk Mary W. Blanding told the chamber that the Special Meeting agenda and the revised regular agenda were distributed by email around 3:40 p.m. the afternoon before the meeting and said she was following required FOIA procedures. Several members of the public attending the meeting said they had not seen earlier notice and expressed frustration about perceived limits on public participation at the June 27 meeting.

Public comment amplified the meeting’s tensions. Myra Washington, a resident, criticized use of the word “nefarious” during the June 27 discussion and said some attendees felt disrespected by instructions given at that earlier meeting. Others, including Dr. Gloria Deleston and Dr. Elaine Brunson, urged greater county support for schools and minority business outreach.

There was no executive session on the agenda and none was held; the council took no formal action on the protocol discussion at the July 11 meeting. The session concluded with the chair noting staff had been consulted ahead of the June 27 meeting and with Clerk Blanding’s statement about the timing of agenda postings. The meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

Why it matters: The exchange underscores ongoing tensions in Sumter County over school funding, public engagement and meeting transparency. Council members and staff said FOIA posting requirements were followed; residents and some council members said the county needs clearer public notice and different approaches to community input.