PALM Board Chair Receives Cease-and-Desist; Directors Reaffirm Principal’s Ousting

Alleged Advocation of Nepotism: the Protagonist of the Legal Trouble

The Chairman of the PALM Charter School board, Ray Hicks, received a cease-and-desist letter this month, suggesting his latest actions and those of the board are “invalid” and “illegal”. Kent Massey, a representative from the Massey Law Firm, confirmed their office had distributed the letter nine days after the board’s decision to not renew Principal Avery Moore’s employment following a hushed investigation.

In the cease-and-desist missive, Massey alleges that Hicks and the Board of Directors were acting in direct violation of several South Carolina laws including, but not limited to, the South Carolina Non-Profit Corporation Act, the South Carolina Charter Schools Act, and the Charter and By-Laws for the Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports.

Hints of Nepotism Weaken the Ground for the Board

A focal point of the issues stems from Hicks’ son also finding employment at PALM Charter School. According to Massey, this nepotism violates the South Carolina Charter Schools Act and state ethics laws. The revelation has sparked a fair share of concerns.

In an attempt to get their perspective, an outreach to Mr. Hicks was made and yet, he has not responded at the time of this publication.

A Misbalance on the Board of Directors?

The troubling revelations do not stop there. The letter argues that only one of the board members has a child enrolled in the school. This fact possibly throws the school’s charter into violation. The state law mandates a seven-member board. However, it was found that three members had resigned during Moore’s investigation, leaving the board under-strength.

An Uncertain Future Looms Over PALM Board’s Resolutions

The received letter surges further tensions by demanding the board to cease and desist any further action, placing an enormous question mark on their past decisions including, but not limited to, Moore’s dismissal.

While this cease-and-desist order does not carry the weight of a lawsuit, it does suggest that the board “may be subject to prosecution at the command of the Governor of South Carolina and/or the Attorney General.”

A Virtual Verdict Upholds the Original Decision

Recently, the Board of Directors met in a virtual session to discuss an “Employee Appeal” as stated in their meeting agenda. Board members voted four to one, confirming their initial decision to not renew an employment contract with Principal Moore for the upcoming school year.

As the future of the board’s resolutions hangs in the balance with the receipt of the cease-and-desist order, the best that can be said at this juncture is only time will reveal the outcome of this concern.