In Special Meeting, Lexington Board Dismisses Teacher

One Lexington teacher may not have a very happy Fourth of July.

During a special called board meeting this morning, the Lexington County School District 1 Board of Trustees voted for the immediate dismissal of an annual contract teacher, pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 59-26-40.  The identity of the teacher remained confidential because of district policy, and no information other than the copy of the motion could be released at this time, said Mary Beth Hill, Chief Communications Officer for District 1.

Because contracts for school district employees run from July 1 through June 30, the Board called the special meeting so that action would be taken before the contract renewal period, Hill said.

According to the South Carolina Department of Education, annual contract teachers must have completed a one-year induction period. After that, they can be employed at the annual contract level for no more than four years, at which time they must be elevated to the continuing-contract level or dismissed.

Annual contract teachers have the right to appeal their dismissals with an informal hearing in front of the superintendent.  However, unlike continuing-contact teachers, they do not have full procedural rights.

The Board voted 4-0 in favor of the dismissal, with one member abstaining.  Two board members were absent from the meeting.

The meeting began with a closed executive session and the teacher dismissal was the only item on the agenda.