May 20, 2007 - According to a news story at The Herald website, South Carolina's Department of Education has disciplined 384 educators since 2003, "according to an analysis of records accessible via the agency's Web site."
They report that a third of the 384 educators were disciplined for behavior harmful to students. Those cases resulted in the suspension or revocation of licenses.
Shelly Kelly, an attorney with the Education Department, said she notices when an educator is arrested and is the subject of news reports.----------------------------------------
"Is it something we would take a license away for?" Kelly said. "That's generally the standard we use."
TT - The newspaper does not, however, link to the site. It can be found here.
You will find, however, that a surprising number of the suspensions are for failure to pay back loans taken out to cover the costs of applying for certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
Despite what the article says about the promptness of suspending teachers who are arrested, we have a number of South Carolina teachers who aren't on their list. The districts are, by law, required to notify the state Board of Education when a teacher is dismissed, resigns or is otherwise separated from employment and give a reason, there is no evidence that they appear on the state's disciplinary list when criminal conduct is alleged -- even the ones who are sentenced. Links are to our stories.
FOUND ON EDUCATION ORDER of DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Leviticus Harton arrested February 20 after being caught in a sex sting. - Summary Suspension pending a due process hearing.
Wendie Schweikert arrested March 28 for sex with student. - Revocation.
David Russell Thiem sentenced November 2 for sex with a student. - Summary Suspension pending a due process hearing. Then Voluntary surrender.
Allena Ward arrested February 9 for alleged sex with five boys. - Summary Suspending pending a due process hearing. ***
NOT FOUND
Michael Beckett sentenced January 4 for operating a drug lab.
Jane Blackwell arrested January 23 for obstruction of justice. (Principal)
John Clark arrested March 14 selling beer to underage children.
Mary Clark arrested March 14 selling beer to underage children.
Scotty Dean arrested January 12 for having a hand gun in his car on school property.
Jill Moore arrested January for for "moral offenses" involving some of her cheerleaders.
Kimberly Pike sentenced January 11 for smoking pot with a student.
John Rickenbacker sentenced April 2 for bribery and extortion. (Asst. Principal)
Harold Skinner arrested April 11 assaulting a student.
Matthew Stiefel arrested February 9 charged with with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Stacey Watson indicted March 13 for criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Teacher's Assistant
Tabitha Summer arrested February 8 charged with providing alcohol to minors.
*** News article says her credentials were revoked in April, but it is not online yet.
