South Carolina Will Hold School Board Removal Hearing
A state-appointed panel will review misconduct charges against a Charleston County board member on September 28.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should elected school board members face removal from office for alleged conflicts of interest?
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has initiated a removal hearing for Charleston County School Board member Darlene Roberson following a misconduct report. The proceedings will address allegations including the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information and conflict of interest.
Why it matters
The hearing process, which follows an investigation by the Office of the Inspector General, directly impacts local school district oversight and governance. It is being conducted under a 2022 state law that governs how school district trustees can be removed from office.
Darlene Roberson faces three charges regarding conflict of interest and unauthorized disclosure of information. The removal hearing is scheduled to be overseen by a three-member panel.
The players
Henry McMaster
The Governor of South Carolina who initiated the removal process for the local school board official.
Darlene Roberson
A Charleston County School Board member facing three charges of misconduct and conflict of interest.
Office of the Inspector General
The state agency responsible for investigating government misconduct and transparency violations.
Thomas A. Limehouse Jr.
An attorney appointed by the governor to the three-member panel evaluating the board member.
Adair Boroughs
A panel member appointed by the governor to facilitate the removal hearing process.
The details
The removal process began after the Office of the Inspector General reported that the board member disclosed private information, utilized her position for personal gain, and fraudulently billed the district. Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order to convene a three-member panel that will determine the procedures for the case. The hearing will allow the official to provide testimony and respond to questions regarding the allegations.
Timeline
August 27, 2026: The Office of the Inspector General released the report alleging misconduct.
September 1, 2026: Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order to start the removal process.
September 9, 2026: Darlene Roberson notified the governor that she intends to be heard.
September 28, 2026: The scheduled removal hearing takes place at 1 p.m.
The Home Front
This hearing marks a significant test of the accountability mechanisms established by the 2022 South Carolina school district trustee removal law. It clarifies how state officials exercise oversight regarding the conduct of locally elected school board members.
Residents of Charleston County should monitor the hearing outcome to understand the potential for future board vacancies. You can stay informed by checking official district board minutes for any public statements regarding upcoming leadership changes.
The takeaway
This hearing highlights the legal process for resolving allegations of ethics violations among local elected officials. Residents should keep track of official records from the Charleston County School Board for any updates on how these proceedings affect board representation and governance.
What happens next
The removal hearing is set to take place at 1 p.m. on September 28, 2026, at the Wade Hampton Building in Columbia.
Further reading
For more on how state oversight affects local school governance, visit South Carolina Administration.
Live Poll
Should elected school board members face removal from office for alleged conflicts of interest?
