SLED confirms investigation at SCSDB

The S.C. School for the Deaf and the Blind is under investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division, though authorities are not disclosing the subject of the inquiry.

A spokeswoman for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed Monday that the agency did have an active case involving the school, but would only elaborate to say the investigation is in its preliminary stages.

Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said his office had received complaints related to the school and forwarded those allegations to SLED. At the same time, a security officer at the school contacted SLED, he said. Wright declined to comment on the nature of the allegations.

News of the SLED investigation comes just days after the school announced that its president, Pam Shaw, will be replaced at the end of August.

It was unclear Monday whether the investigation was related to Shaw's departure.

SCSDB spokeswoman Katie Rice said she could not say whether the investigation is related to the board's decision to replace Shaw. A phone call to Shaw for comment was not immediately returned.

Shaw was hired just seven months ago as president of the school, which has six centers across the state but is based in Spartanburg. The board held meetings Thursday and Friday behind closed doors in Columbia to discuss personnel and legal matters.

Members did not release the details of the decision, but issued a statement saying, "Dr. Pamela C. Shaw is leaving the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind after serving as president for seven months. The Board of Commissioners is appreciative to Dr. Shaw for the contributions she has made to the agency and wishes her well in future endeavors."

Shaw's last day as president will be Aug. 29. Until a permanent replacement is hired, SCSDB Vice President of Outreach Services Carol Mabry will serve as interim president.

Copyright 2008 Spartanburg Herald-Journal

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