Richland 2’s CFO resigns citing board politics

The chief finance officer of the Richland 2 faculty district is stepping down partially due to board politics and an setting “crammed with chaos and dysfunction.”

In a resignation letter obtained by The State, Shelley Allen mentioned her resolution to go away the district was not straightforward and got here with “blended feelings.”

Allen, a graduate of Richland 2 colleges, has greater than 25 years of expertise in Okay-12 finance, in response to the letter.

Within the letter, Allen referred to as working at Richland 2 her “dream job,” however that she was now not okay with making an attempt to appease board members and the general public.

“Politics, private agendas and particular person preferences of board members and group members shouldn’t be the main focus of all the things we do,” Allen wrote. “I’ve optimistically hoped that the result of the Inspector Common’s report would supply some justification for making some modifications which can be wanted on this district … however the focus continues to be misdirected.”

The scathing inspector general’s report report, which was achieved on the request of Gov. Henry McMaster after he obtained complaints from mother and father, noticed a scarcity of belief and communication amongst board members and located that solely 14% of board assembly agenda gadgets have been academic-related. It additionally examined Richland 2’s insurance policies and procedures and scholar educational achievement, and highlighted monetary crimson flags just like the district’s lack of a procurement card coverage.

The district has had different points:

▪ LaShonda McFadden and two different board members, Monica Scott and present Richland 2 board chair Lindsay Agostini, walked out of a 2021 board meeting after Holmes denied a movement to delay voting on an modification to the superintendent’s contract, leaving no quorum.

▪ Last January, the police have been referred to as to a board assembly when members of the general public bought right into a verbal disagreement with Superintendent Baron Davis’ spouse. Two individuals have been escorted out and banned from returning to future conferences.

▪ McFadden was arrested last year and accused of threatening to beat Teresa Holmes, the board chair on the time. McFadden later apologized.

▪ Final week, the board referred to as a particular assembly to debate the inspector common’s report and Davis’ contract. Some thought Davis was going to be fired. Allen’s letter was dated Jan. 6, a day after this assembly. The board has scheduled one other particular assembly to debate the superintendent’s contract, to be held Jan. 17.

The district’s setting “continues to be crammed with chaos and dysfunction,” Allen wrote, and “division on the state and native stage proceed to get in the best way of progress and actual change.”

Those that in the end endure, Allen wrote, are college students and the longer term.

The letter, addressed to Davis, praised Davis for his management through the district’s challenges during the last 12 months.

“I’ve been lucky to work with you in a capability that has allowed me to witness your ardour, your humility, your imaginative and prescient and your deep need to offer the most effective training for each scholar,” Allen wrote to Davis.

Allen’s final day will likely be Jan. 27, in response to the letter.

“I pray that God will use my departure to open the eyes of those that select to see issues by clouded lenses,” Allen wrote.

Allen, Davis and Agostini have been unavailable for remark.

Alexa Jurado studies on the College of South Carolina for The State. She is from the Chicago suburbs and lately graduated from Marquette College. Alexa beforehand wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin.