COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland School District One board members came together during a meeting Friday morning to address concerns outlined in a report from the state's Inspector General.
The report indicated the district violated a law in how they sought contractors to build the facility and how they went through the permit process, but found no misuse of funds for the project.
"Everything that was in the findings on the IG’s report was just recommendations for us to make sure we do some corrective action over some things that he found, and we are definitely okay with finding ways to become better,” said Dr. Aaron Bishop, Chairman for Richland One.
During the meeting, board members went over the report step-by-step and concluded with a statement saying, "The district re-emphasizes its intention to build Vince Ford Early Learning Center in a fully compliant, efficient and expedited fashion, and will utilize the SIG's report as guidance to advance the project with appropriate approvals an in cooperation with all stakeholders."
Now at level two in fiscal and budgetary concerns, district members say they understand the severity of the state’s IG report and are working to do better.
"We were not necessarily doing anything fraudulently or criminally but not procedurally right," Bishop said. "That’s what we are trying to make sure we are doing better at and that’s what the IG found.”
Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said the outcome includes a clear indication of where the board now stands and what is next and promised continuous transparency to parents.
“We had already began to address those things, and that is part of that process - submitting a plan in terms of addressing those concerns - and that plan will certainly be forthcoming.”
The meeting Friday prevented the district from reaching level three, which would have resulted in the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) taking over the district's finances.
The next board meeting is set for Tuesday, August 13.
