Turmoil Erupts at South Carolina Virtual Charter School as Leadership Changes Spark Lawsuit

COLUMBIA, SC — Recent Turmoil at South Carolina Virtual Charter School Raises Eyebrows

In a surprising turn of events, the South Carolina Virtual Charter School’s leadership has found itself in a bit of a pickle following a trio of school board members firing the head of school, Anita Latham. This decision is now the centerpiece of a lawsuit filed by Latham, along with three other administrative leaders. They are seeking to have the board’s actions declared unlawful, citing a series of alleged missteps on the part of the board.

What’s Going On?

The lawsuit stems from what is described as ongoing *dysfunction within the board*. It seems there’s been quite a bit of drama in the administrative offices located in Lexington County. The virtual charter school, serving about *2,350 K-12 students* across South Carolina, has struggled with its board, which recently shrunk down to just three members as resignations piled up.

According to their complaint, these three remaining board members took actions that violate the school’s bylaws and its contract with the Charter Institute at Erskine — the charter authorizer. *State law requires a quorum to properly hold meetings*, and this trio, as it stands, does not meet that requirement.

A Timeline of Events

Things heated up back on August 20, when the board’s membership dropped to just three. A few weeks later, on September 23, Latham and her fellow administrators filed their lawsuit, claiming that all official decisions made post-August 20 are invalid. It sounds like quite the legal mess!

The administrators involved in the lawsuit included Michelle Patterson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction; Victoria Smith, Finance Director; and Stacy Bowen, Business Manager. Essentially, they argue that the three-member board isn’t supposed to have that much power under state guidelines, especially when more than half of the members are supposed to be elected by school parents.

Claims of Misconduct

Latham’s lawsuit paints a picture of a chaotic leadership dynamic that has reportedly involved *potential misconduct* and alleged “**unethical behaviors**” from the previous leadership. As Latham took on her role as head of school in April 2024, she began noticing what she describes as “*mistakes and potential malfeasance*.”

Following these observations, an investigation was initiated because the school administration sent a report indicating misconduct to board chair Courtney Suber. Unfortunately, Latham then faced what she characterized as “*hostile communication*” from the board after she took steps to address these issues. It’s easy to see why the situation has gone from bad to worse.

Current Status and Next Steps

As it stands, Latham is scheduled to have a grievance hearing with the board on **October 15th**, where they’ll tackle the contents of her termination letter, which was sent to her through her lawyer. Meanwhile, Anita Maness has stepped in as the interim head of school but offered no additional comments about the leadership changes.

The lawsuit filed by Latham and the other administrators has raised eyebrows, as it calls into question the legitimacy of the *board’s actions*. With upcoming elections that will see three new members begin their terms on October 15, the future looks uncertain for Go-vote SC Virtual Charter School’s leadership.

Looking Ahead

Educational authorities are reportedly aware of the ongoing legal developments, but they have expressed confidence in the school’s performance and its commitment to serving its students effectively. Ultimately, the priority remains on ensuring that the students receive the best education possible during these tumultuous times.

As this story unfolds, parents, students, and faculty members alike will be keeping a close eye on the situation, hoping for resolution and clarity in the school’s leadership.