From the Office of Communications
Phone: 803.435.4435
For Immediate Release
October 23, 2023
This statement is to provide a brief overview of the State Inspector General’s (SIG) Report concerning his investigation of allegations of potential financial irregularities reported to the Office of the Governor. The purpose of the investigation was to review allegations of potential financial irregularities as well as fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, or other wrongdoing. The SIG did not find any evidence of fraud, theft, or misapplication of funds. During the investigation, the SIG identified areas of improvement, which the Board and Superintendent Johnson welcomed and addressed.
Below is a summary of items discussed in the Report:
1. Board Compensation. The District and Board members that received compensation for unattended meetings have agreed to a repayment method.
2. Expenses. The SIG determined that the District maintained appropriate supporting documentation and necessary approvals for Board and employee expenditures.
3. Salary Advances. Despite a detailed protocol of the practice, the District will no longer provide salary advances.
4. Sole Source Procurement of District Vehicles. The SIG determined that the sole source purchase of 10 Ford Explorers was consistent and in compliance with the State’s procurement policies.
5. Walker Gamble Elementary School Land Purchase. The SIG determined the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of the property complied with the State’s procurement code and that there was no ethics violation by any member of the Board regarding the purchase.
6. Superintendent’s Salary. The SIG assessed that the Superintendent’s salary and reduced living expenses is reasonable given the complexities of consolidation and 79% increases in students population and the addition of the F.E. Dubose Career Center.
7. Townhouse Purchase. The SIG determined that no further action is required as the Superintendent vacated the property and repaid rent for the period of occupancy after the District’s purchase during the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused the closure of schools and reduced teacher recruitment.
8. Coaching Supplements/Certifications. Per the SIG assessment of coaching supplements and certifications, the SIG recommended that the District establish internal controls to ensure required coaching certifications are completed and documented appropriately and that reallocation of coaching supplements are appropriately documented.
9. Conversion of Gift Cards for Personal Use. The SIG determined that there was no evidence of the use of ESSER funds to purchase gift cards.
10. Truancy/Chronic Absenteeism. All public school districts are concerned about truancy, chronic absenteeism, and its financial impact. Of 4,200 students, a total of approximately 40 students were found not to have been dropped from school rosters after the allotted time period. This situation has been rectified during this school year, as the SCDE will recapture any overpayment, and the District has protocols and personnel in place to avoid future attendance data issues.
11. Closure of Unattended Bank Accounts. At the SIG’s direction, the District promptly closed four accounts held by the former school districts. There were no unauthorized disbursements or misappropriation of funds within the accounts.
12. Unaccounted Carry-over Funds. The SIG determined that the District maintained sufficient documentation regarding carry-over funds for the Career and Technical Education program at F.E. Dubose.
13. Public Participation. The SIG determined that neither the Superintendent nor the Board has denied any request by persons who submitted requests in advance to speak during public comment at Board meetings.
Overall, the SIG’s review of the District’s financial operations determined that “the finance department operated with adequate internal controls and processes over budgeting, expenditures, procurement, and other fiscal practices to maintain a low risk of fraud.” While many of the allegations prompting the investigation were unfounded, the SIG made recommendations to improve the District’s operations in certain areas. The SIG appreciated and commended the cooperation of CCSD, the Board of Trustees, and the Superintendent and their responsiveness to seeking solutions to issues identified during the course of the investigation.
The District is committed to providing a quality education to all students, as evidenced by the District placing first in the tri-county report card. We will continue to look for ways to enhance our students' educational opportunities. We encourage the community to read the Report, which can be found HERE.