Schools

School Board Rejects Cap on Ethics Hearing Costs

The Cherokee County School Board denied a request by member Kelly Marlow to cap expenses related to her upcoming ethics hearing.

The Cherokee County School Board rejected a request by District 1 member Kelly Marlow to cap expenses related to her upcoming ethics hearing.

The board voted 1-6, with Marlow in favor, to reject the request to cap attorney fees at $500.

The motions to cap court reporter services at $250 and a hearing officer at $250 both failed due to the lack of a board member offering a second. 

The discussion on Thursday was similar to the discussion at the previous board meeting, which Marlow asked the board to provide her with an attorney at the taxpayers' expense. The board also rejected that request.

School Board Attorney Tom Roach said it wouldn't be wise to limit the expenses, as ethics hearings and possible appeals require "items of due process."

A court reporter is needed to provide an accurate transcription of the hearing and a hearing officer is needed to keep the topic of discussion on what the hearing was called for, he added.

"It’s impossible to impose a (spending) cap on something unless you impose a time cap," he added.

For example, imposing a time cap could result in the court reporter packing up and leaving before the ethics hearing is concluded.

Marlow said she once again brought up the issue because she has a problem with the Cherokee County School District "issuing a blank check" for the hearing.

She also accused the board of not applying its policy of filing out the financial impact box on its agenda form in a consistent manner. 

"We need to figure out what number goes into that box," she added, noting she believed the policy is applied more stringent towards her. 

However, Board Member Robert Wofford said he was hesitant to cap fees related to the expense, adding the board needs to spend whatever necessary to make sure "this is done in a professional manner." 

An ethics hearing to consider whether Marlow violated school board policies has been set for 6 p.m. Wednesday Oct. 2 at the auditorium.

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