Columbia, South Carolina Feb 13, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Lexington-Richland 5 School Administrators' and Irmo High School and Irmo Middle School Coaches and Administrators are under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (Case No. 11-25-1190) following allegations of physical abuse, misconduct, and retaliation against a student-athlete. The investigation stems from a June 3, 2024, incident where a student-athlete was subjected to dangerous physical punishment under the direction of Coach Aaron Brand and his staff.

Incident Details

The student-athlete and teammates endured excessive football practice in extreme heat, violating SCHSL regulations. Players without completed physical forms were later subjected to physical punishment, despite the forms not being due for another 30 days. The student-athlete, a Type 1 Diabetic, suffered a life-threatening spike in blood glucose levels, leading to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), requiring a week of recovery. Despite the severity, school officials failed to act appropriately.

Failure to Ensure Student Safety

School officials have failed to implement safeguards for student-athletes with medical conditions. Irmo High School lacks a Certified Athletic Trainer at practices and games, placing students with diabetes and other medical needs at risk. The administrationAthletic Director Paul Calvert, Coach Brand, and Principal Kaaren Hamptonhas demonstrated negligence toward critical health concerns.

PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT AND RETALIATION

Based on reports, school officials ignored serious allegations, including:

• Physical abuse and unsafe practice conditions lead to student injuries.

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• Prevention of accessing student-athletes diabetic supplies, was never properly investigated.

• Title IX violations, including retaliation against a student-athlete.

• Use of profanity and emotional abuse by coaches, ignored by the administration.

• Retaliation by Irmo Middle School Principal Mansa Joseph, including locking students out of school facilities during medical emergencies.

QUESTIONS OF INTEGRITY AND FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT

Recent reports highlight concerns regarding Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross. According to media sources, Dr. Ross owns HeartEd, LLC, a DEI hiring firm alleged to have done business with the district. Additionally, he recently amended his contract to secure a performance annuity and an increased severance package, regardless of performance. His support from certain Board of Trustees members has raised transparency concerns.

POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY CONCERNS

A WISTV.com report highlighted poor performance rankings at Irmo High School and Irmo Middle School.

• Irmo High School (Grades 9-12)  Below Average (Rating: 48)

• Irmo Middle School (Grades 6-8)  Average (Rating: 39), Not Rated, Below Average

Additionally, recent incidents include:

• A teachers dismissal for an inappropriate relationship with a student.

• A fight near Irmo Middle School.

• Allegations of a fight involving a student and a football coach were never investigated.

LEGAL, POLICY VIOLATIONS, AND PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST

Based upon information and belief, Sevilla has cited violations of state and federal law allegedly committed by Kaaren Hampton, Brandon Ingram, Gary Stephens, Aaron Brand, Paul Calvert, Teon Petree, Akil Ross, Tamara Turner, Reggie Wicker, Susan Noller, Mansa Joseph, Jonathan Colon, Amanda Neal, Stephen Puckett, and others. These individuals allegedly failed to report staff misconduct, neglected to investigate serious allegations, and or actively participated in or enabled a cover-up of misconduct, including physically barring Sevillas son from accessing insulin.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring equal participation in school activities, including athletics. Schools must evaluate students individually, provide necessary modifications, and ensure adequate medical accommodations.

South Carolina Childrens Code Section 63-7-310 establishes mandatory reporting requirements for school employees regarding child abuse and neglect. Teachers, administrators, and coaches are required to report suspected abuse to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) or law enforcement. Failure to do so is a violation of state law.

South Carolina Criminal Law Section 16-3-1510 makes it a criminal offense for mandatory reporters to knowingly fail to report abuse or neglect. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges, fines, and potential imprisonment.

PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST UNDER SCFOIA

Pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (SCFOIA), S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10 et seq., and federal transparency regulations, a formal request has been made for records related to the public bid process and awarded contracts within the Lexington-Richland 5 School District. This request seeks documents concerning all open service and construction bids, including those required by law to be publicly posted.

The requested records include:

• Bid postings and award results  Documentation of publicly posted service, construction, and consulting bids, along with awarded contracts.

• Conflict of interest examination  Any records indicating whether awarded contractors have a familial, personal, or professional relationship with Superintendent Akil Ross, Chief of Human Resources Tamara Turner, Director of Human Resources Reginald Wicker, or any other Lex-Rich 5 employees hired during Dr. Ross' tenure.

• DEI and Afrocentric business contracts  Records of any contracts awarded to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)-focused businesses, Afrocentric businesses, or black-owned businesses during Dr. Ross tenure.

• Non-compliant bid awards  Any evidence of bids failing to meet public posting requirements or prematurely removed from public notice before being awarded.

This request aims to investigate potential conflicts of interest, financial impropriety, and transparency concerns in public procurement processes. Compliance with SCFOIA and federal procurement regulations is expected.

Based upon information and belief, Sevilla has cited violations of state and federal law allegedly committed by Kaaren Hampton, Brandon Ingram, Gary Stephens, Aaron Brand, Paul Calvert, Teon Petree, Akil Ross, Tamara Turner, Reggie Wicker, Susan Noller, Mansa Joseph, Jonathan Colon, Amanda Neal, Stephen Puckett, and others. These individuals allegedly failed to report staff misconduct, neglected to investigate serious allegations, and actively participated in or enabled a cover-up of misconduct, including physically brring Sevillas son from accessing insulin.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, ensuring equal participation in school activities, including athletics. Schools must evaluate students individually, provide necessary modifications, and ensure adequate medical accommodations.

South Carolina Childrens Code Section 63-7-310 establishes mandatory reporting requirements for school employees regarding child abuse and neglect. Teachers, administrators, and coaches are required to report suspected abuse to the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) or law enforcement. Failure to do so is a violation of state law.

South Carolina Criminal Law Section 16-3-1510 makes it a criminal offense for mandatory reporters to knowingly fail to report abuse or neglect. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges, fines, and potential imprisonment.

FEDERAL COMPLAINT AND INVESTIGATION

The student-athletes family filed a complaint with the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights due to the schools failure to act. Instead of addressing the issues, Superintendent Ross and district officials allegedly engaged in intimidation tactics, including involving the Lexington County Sheriffs Department to pressure the family about their childs medical condition.

CALL FOR ACTION

The student-athletes family demands:

• A full investigation into the June 3rd incident and subsequent retaliation.

• Accountability for staff involved, including disciplinary actions.

• Policy changes to protect student-athletes.

• A public apology from school and district officials.