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Who is guarding the hen house?
Questions raised over recent hires by School District

web posted May 29, 2007
COUNTY – Questions have been raised about recent hires by the Edgefield County School Board and District Office, including the salaries of present positions and those who are being hired to replace them. So EdgefieldDaily.com began investigating. The continuing investigation has brought about some startling revelations that will be published over the next few weeks. For now the salaries of key hires and positions will be contained in this report as a foundation and reference point for reports that will follow.

The first hire came with the EdgefieldDaily.com prediction of Dr. Frank Roberson being tapped to fill the retiring Dr. Sharon Keesley’s job as Superintendent before it happened. Dr. Keesley was paid $114,130 for the year 2006-2007. Dr. Roberson’s salary for the same position is “under negotiations” according to a response from a Freedom of Information request to the District Office by EdgefieldDaily.com.

Without doubt Dr. Roberson will be paid more than $114,130 for the year 2007-2008. Insiders say Dr. Roberson may see a 25% increase, or more, over Dr. Keesley’s pay and 34 years with the district. Dr. Roberson has been with the district one year.

Interestingly enough, Dr. Roberson was paid $95,000 in 2006-07 as Assistant Superintendent. Hired to fill his vacated position was Diane Murrell, however, her starting salary went down, not up, and was stated as $89,000 for 2007-08.

The most controversial hire made public, so far, was that of Myrtis Brightharp this April as Director of Title 1 services. Her starting salary saw a 31% increase over her predecessor at $85,628. Former Director Sylvia Kelly-Stone received $65,482 for the same job. Mrs. Brightharp is the sister-in-law to School Board Chairwoman Sallie Cooks, who did not abstain from the vote to hire her relative.

Several questions have been raised about the recent hire of Shawn W. Clinkscales as a replacement to departing Human Resources Director Angela Cooper. The District advertised the position preferring a Master’s Degree and had qualified applicants respond.

However, Clinkscales does not have a Master’s degree and has never held a management position. She has been out of school for only six years and worked as a recruiter for Anderson College. Some have tied the hire to School Board member James Bibbs but no indications of that have been revealed as of this date. Possible connections are being looked into.

The salary comparisons for Human Recourses Director have not been received at this time and are included in a Freedom of Information request that will be delivered this week to the District Office for additional positions.

This is just a foundational report for additional articles that will be published at later dates and linked together.

 

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