Governor won’t remove Charleston school board member despite ‘unacceptable’ conduct

MORNING HEADLINES | Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday said he would not remove Charleston County school board member Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson from office despite finding her some of her conduct “unacceptable.”

Earlier this year, a state Inspector General’s report alleged wrongdoing by the District 8 trustee.

In an Oct. 14 letter to Dunmeyer-Roberson, McMaster said that after careful review of the IG’s report and additional findings by his own three-person review panel, he’d concluded that “the relevant facts of this record do not justify your removal.”

Following public testimony from Dunmeyer-Roberson on Sept. 28, McMaster’s panel reported that only one of the charges — that she willfully disclosed confidential district information protected by attorney-client privilege — was clearly proven at this point in the investigation.

The remaining allegations, including questions about her district residency, potential conflicts of interest and almost $250,000 in apparently unreported income, were outside the scope of the panel’s review and remain unresolved.

McMaster made it clear that the decision was based on the report’s limited finding of a confidentiality breach, which he said did not alone justify overturning the voters’ choice in an election.

“My decision, however, is not an exoneration or excusal of your conduct,” McMaster added. “I find that your conduct while serving in this office has been unacceptable.”

For her part, Dunmeyer-Roberson said that while she appreciates McMaster’s determination, she’s concerned by “certain conclusions and characterizations contained in his decision.”

“Although the question of my removal has been resolved, I believe it is equally important that the public have a full and accurate understanding of the record and the circumstances surrounding these allegations,” Dunmeyer-Roberson said. — Jack O’Toole

Help the City Paper stay local, free, independent

Local. Free. Independent. Those three words represent the foundation on which the stories told by the Charleston City Paper are built. Since 1997, the Charleston City Paper has provided the kind of information that people in Charleston and across South Carolina rely on. Since 2020, the newspaper has won more than 200 state and national awards for news and advertising excellence making it the top weekly newspaper in South Carolina.

Please consider giving today to allow the newspaper to continue to stay #CharlestonStrong.
Follow our ListeningAcrossAmerica.com tour.

In recent headlines

Three men accused by Mace arrested in connection with alleged sex assault. The three men, including Mace’s ex-fiancé, face charges arising from the alleged sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman in 2018. Mace publicly called the men “predators” in a stunning speech on the U.S. House floor last year.

2026: Andrews calls on Graham to recuse on China votes due to husband’s employment. Democratic U.S. Senate Annie Andrews said on Wednesday that appointed incumbent GOP Sen. Darline Graham should recuse herself from all votes related to China because her husband works for companies that import Chinese products — a move Graham’s campaign called “desperate.”

An S.C. school report cards explainer. Why are S.C. schools that get a grade of 61 rated “excellent” instead of, say, “barely passing”? It’s complicated.

Charleston city council gives preliminary approval to new Dominion contract, but says it needs more info. Council and advocates said they were pleased the city was reworking its contract with power-provider Dominion Energy for the first time in years — but made it clear they wanted to know more about the deal.

CALENDAR: How to find cool things to do around town

Our online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area. Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.