FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – The Florence County Sheriff’s Office confirms it is involved in an investigation at West Florence High School.
Major Mike Nunn says the sheriff’s office is involved in an ongoing investigation of harassment at West Florence High School. Nunn could not confirm when the investigation was initiated and no names were released in connection with the investigation.
Because the investigation is ongoing, Nunn says no other information will be released at this time.
News13 reached out to officials with Florence School District One and Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Matrell E. Sturkey, Ed.D. says of the investigation, “We have no knowledge of that.”
News13 has continued to ask Florence School District One officials for more information on the resignations, administrative leave, and firing of five West Florence High School employees. It’s unknown if any of the employees are involved in the investigation by the sheriff’s office.
Softball coach Kevin Jones, basketball coach Pete Ellis, and long-time principal Pam Quick, have all resigned in the past month.
According to the school district, football coach Trey Woodberry stepped down from his position as athletic director and is now on paid administrative leave.
Volleyball coach, Hilary Pratt, told News13 she was fired and was sent a separation letter by interim principal Dr. Kelvin Wymbs.
Dr. Wymbs became interim principal of West Florence High School after Quick resigned. Quick cited “personal reasons” for her departure from the school in a fill-in-the-blank style resignation letter.
Parents started voicing concern after the district refused to communicate what was happening inside the school, according to Renee Graham, who has two children at West Florence High School.
“A lot of us in the community feel as though Florence School District One is trying to cover something up,” Graham said. “For the simple fact, they know that there’s the Freedom of Information Act the media can get their hands on. So the only thing they’re releasing is basically like a tardy form.”
Interim Superintendent, Dr. Dan Strickland, released a statement addressing the concerns related to West Florence High School on Monday.
Dr. Strickland said the district supports the decisions Dr. Wymbs has made regarding West Florence High School.
No timeline was given as to when the investigation by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office will conclude.
