Richland County School District One is facing yet another scandal, this time regarding a construction project that has already wasted over $6 million in taxpayer funds. The district was told by the state to abandon its plans for a $31 million early learning center after a report by the S.C. Office of Inspector General found that the project was unauthorized and illegal. District officials had changed the age ranges for the facility multiple times, with the most recent plan being to serve kindergarteners through second graders.
State superintendent of education Ellen Weaver criticized the district for its mismanagement and disregard for legal authorities, calling for the project to be decommissioned to avoid further waste of taxpayer money. Richland One has been plagued by numerous issues, including the worst teacher vacancy rate in the state last year, with over 200 teacher openings by May 2024.
This latest scandal comes on the heels of a board member being sued for allegedly taking inappropriate photos of a female employee. The district has been criticized for corruption, underperformance, and tone-deafness, with calls for long-overdue accountability. The turmoil within the district has raised concerns about the future financial condition and reputation of Richland County School District One.
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