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Public not allowed to discuss Kemmerlin issue in HD1 meeting

Public not allowed to discuss Kemmerlin issue in HD1 meeting

Submitted by michael.dewitt on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 3:10pm.

The Hampton County Guardian has learned that, after 26 years of service to Hampton School District 1, Steve Kemmerlin was notified July 20 that after this school year his positions as athletics director and baseball coach at Wade Hampton High School would be terminated.
Kemmerlin has requested an executive session meeting with the board at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 at Varnville Elementary School to further discuss the matter and decide his future within the district.
There will be a "Board Listens" session prior to this meeting, at 6 p.m., but Hampton 1 Superintendent Dr. Doug McTeer, Jr. notified The Guardian on Tuesday that the public would not be allowed to comment on the Kemmerlin personnel matter during the session, or during the regular meeting. Below are excerpts of the district's established policy for Board Listens sessions:
"The purpose of the Board Listens session is to give members of the public an opportunity to address issues of concern regarding education in Hampton County School District One...The concerns should be general in nature. Specific employees, or other members of the public, may not be discussed."
"Participation in the Board Listens session is not open to employees of Hampton County School District One. Rather, employees should follow the chain of command and procedures that are in place to address employee concerns."
McTeer pointed out that this policy is in place to protect employees and members of the public from slanderous comments during an open meeting, but added that if anyone wishes to express concerns about this personnel matter, or show support for Coach Kemmerlin, they are welcome to write a letter to the board or even start a petition. You can also email concerns to dmcteer@hampton1.k12.sc.us and McTeer said he will respond to you.
The Guardian has been investigating the situation fully, gathering facts, and has submitted several Freedom of Information Act requests.

Read more on this story in The Guardian.

Michael M. DeWitt, Jr.
Editor
The Hampton County Guardian

"Strong newspapers build strong communities"

 


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We Love Coach Kemmerlin!

Submitted by She_Tiger_81 on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:26pm.

No matter what the outcome of this, we love you Coach.   You helped me pick out a college as a guidance counselor and taught me to drive (sorta) in drivers ed.  I invite the rest of you to post what Coach K did for you.  Can't imagine going to a game and not seeing him there.  This reminds me so much of the way a certain family(ies) forced coach Hill out many years ago because they wanted to hand pick a new football coach.  That replacement coach didn't work out and neither did the QB that they brought him in for.

Coach believed in me

Submitted by Mr_Baseball on Mon, 10/03/2011 - 12:57pm.

Just registered on this blog thing.  Hope I'm doing this right.  Coach Kemmerlin believed in me when my teammates would get down on me.  I still turn my head out on ground balls today.  oh well.  I'm too old to be playing ball anyway.  Thanks for the heads up She_Tiger.  I didn't know all this was going on.