‘Chaos and dysfunction’: Richland 2’s CFO is resigning, citing board politics

The chief finance officer of the Richland 2 school district is stepping down in part because of board politics and an environment “filled with chaos and dysfunction.”

In a resignation letter obtained by The State, Shelley Allen said her decision to leave the district was not easy and came with “mixed emotions.”

Allen, a graduate of Richland 2 schools, has more than 25 years of experience in K-12 finance, according to the letter.

In the letter, Allen called working at Richland 2 her “dream job,” but that she was no longer okay with trying to appease board members and the public.

“Politics, personal agendas and individual preferences of board members and community members should not be the focus of everything we do,” Allen wrote. “I have optimistically hoped that the outcome of the Inspector General’s report would provide some justification for making some changes that are needed in this district ... but the focus continues to be misdirected.”

The scathing inspector general’s report report, which was done at the request of Gov. Henry McMaster after he received complaints from parents, observed a lack of trust and communication among board members and found that only 14% of board meeting agenda items were academic-related. It also examined Richland 2’s policies and procedures and student academic achievement, and highlighted financial red flags like the district’s lack of a procurement card policy.

The district has had other issues:

▪ LaShonda McFadden and two other board members, Monica Scott and current Richland 2 board chair Lindsay Agostini, walked out of a 2021 board meeting after Holmes denied a motion to delay voting on an amendment to the superintendent’s contract, leaving no quorum.

▪ Last January, the police were called to a board meeting when members of the public got into a verbal disagreement with Superintendent Baron Davis’ wife. Two people were escorted out and banned from returning to future meetings.

▪ McFadden was arrested last year and accused of threatening to beat Teresa Holmes, the board chair at the time. McFadden later apologized.

▪ Last week, the board called a special meeting to discuss the inspector general’s report and Davis’ contract. Some thought Davis was going to be fired. Allen’s letter was dated Jan. 6, a day after this meeting. The board has scheduled another special meeting to discuss the superintendent’s contract, to be held Jan. 17.

The district’s environment “continues to be filled with chaos and dysfunction,” Allen wrote, and “division at the state and local level continue to get in the way of progress and real change.”

Those who ultimately suffer, Allen wrote, are students and the future.

The letter, addressed to Davis, praised Davis for his leadership during the district’s challenges over the last year.

“I have been fortunate to work with you in a capacity that has allowed me to witness your passion, your humility, your vision and your deep desire to provide the best education for every student,” Allen wrote to Davis.

Allen’s last day will be Jan. 27, according to the letter.

“I pray that God will use my departure to open the eyes of those who choose to see things through clouded lenses,” Allen wrote.

Allen, Davis and Agostini could not be reached comment.

Angela Nash, another board member, said in a statement that she was surprised by Allen’s departure.

“I wish Ms. Allen all the best and wished that we had the opportunity to work with her regarding some of the findings of the South Carolina Inspector General’s report,” Nash said in a statement. “I agree with her we have a myriad of issues as mentioned in the IG report. All those things happened prior to the tenure of three other newly elected board members and myself.”