Governor kept Charleston school trustee in office after saying she committed misconduct
At Gov. Henry McMaster's January 2026 request, the SC Office of the Inspector General investigated the Charleston County School District board. Its August 2026 report found a trustee forwarded confidential board information 28 times to the email of district vendor Next Level Educational Services, which she ran, and that the district paid Next Level on invoices the OIG called potentially fraudulent, using Title I funds. It found more than $248,000 in unreported income and recommended the governor consider removing her. News outlets identified her as District 8 trustee Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson. A hearing panel unanimously substantiated the willful disclosure. On October 14, 2026, McMaster declined to remove her, writing "there is no doubt that you committed misconduct in office." She said she was grateful for the decision. SLED is reviewing the findings; her term runs to 2028.
McMaster stressed that his decision does not exonerate Dunmeyer-Roberson, writing that "there is no doubt that you committed misconduct in office."
The administration is taking the findings of the State Inspector General seriously.
Notwithstanding, this investigation determined sufficient probable cause existed to recommend that Governor McMaster consider the utilization of S.C. Code § 59-19-60 for the removal of a Board member.
Said she was grateful for the governor's decision but concerned by certain conclusions and characterizations in it.
Not yet contacted for this story.
No outcome recorded yet.