HILTON HEAD, S.C. (WSAV) – Hilton Head Island High School’s embattled principal appeared before the state school board Tuesday regarding sexual misconduct allegations against her.
Amanda O’Nan, currently suspended from her position as principal, was officially given a public reprimand by the State Board of Education in South Carolina. The fate of her role at the school now lies in the hands of the Beaufort County School District (BCSD).
O’Nan was placed on administrative leave in January, just days after an interview with DeJuan Holmes, a former sergeant with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, went public.
In that interview, Holmes admitted to having sex with the principal after hours in the school in 2016.
That year, O’Nan had been cleared of any wrongdoing connected to the allegations. But in light of Holmes’ recent statement, BCSD Interim Superintendent Herb Berg opened a new investigation.
The state school board could have suspended or revoked O’Nan’s teaching license, but gave her the lowest level of discipline.
According to the state, “the evidence presented by the district would not support a conclusion that just cause exists to suspend or revoke the educator certificate.”
They did say that O’Nan “engaged in unprofessional conduct as a result of inappropriate conduct” and “just cause exists for the issuance of a public reprimand.”
Now, BCSD must make a decision on her future at Hilton Head High or with any school in the district.
News 3 reached out to the school district for comment. The spokesman only said they “will be discussing the state board’s action with legal counsel to see what the district’s next steps will be.”
There is no timetable set yet for that decision.