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Sumter board adds inspector-general report to agenda, schedules April 27 special meeting after public outcry
Summary
Trustees voted to add the state inspector general's report to tonight's agenda and to hold a special-called meeting April 27 to review the IG findings after public commenters and some trustees demanded accountability for alleged overspending and investigative interference.
The Sumter School District Board of Trustees voted Monday to add discussion of a recently released inspector-general report to the agenda and scheduled a special-called meeting at 6 p.m. April 27 to review the report.
Reverend Doctor Ralph W. Canty Sr., who asked the board to take public action after receiving the IG report, made the motion to amend the agenda and to call the special meeting. Canty said the matter was "so critical" that the board should act publicly or convene a special session to address the findings.
Public commenters pressed the board for accountability. Roland Robinson, president of the Sumter NAACP, told trustees the public was "not satisfied" with current board performance and urged them to let the superintendent manage day-to-day operations while the board focuses on policy and oversight. Former trustee Dan Palumbo urged stronger consequences, saying the IG report described "major findings" and alleged millions in misspent funds; Palumbo also said the IG found that a vice chairman's communications with district staff during the investigation compromised the inquiry.
"If employees mislead leadership, high expenditures hide expenditures, fail to do their job, and waste resources at this level, there are severe consequences," Palumbo said, urging the board to restore public trust through tighter controls.
Several trustees said they had just received the report and asked for time to review it. Board members agreed to the April 27 special meeting to allow trustees to read the document and to prepare for a public discussion, rather than attempting a detailed review at Monday's session.
The board's decision to set a special session followed motions approved in open session after an executive-session review of related student and personnel matters. Chair Sean Reagan announced the motion passed. The special meeting is on the board's calendar for Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m.
The board did not take other substantive actions on the inspector-general findings at Monday's meeting beyond scheduling the review.
What's next: trustees said they will read the IG report ahead of the April 27 meeting, at which the public may expect a more extended discussion of the report's recommendations and findings.
