Clarendon County District 1 Superintendent Barbara R. Champagne today strongly denied any claims of improper conduct or unprofessional activity as has been suggested or reported in recent media accounts concerning herself.She said in a statement written by her attorney that she is further disturbed by the negative image projected and the impact on her professional career and personal life.There were earlier anonymous charges made and subsequent public charges made by a newly elected member of the Lee County School Board, Regitt James, that Champagne had illegally or improperly entered into a consulting arrangement with Lee County whose superintendent Wanda Andrews was also acting as a consultant for Clarendon County on a totally different area of expertise. Champagne's consulting services with Lee County School District was approved by the Clarendon County School District One Board of Trustees as part of her contract with the district. She began her contractual work with the district in 2016 prior to her appointment as a superintendent. Likewise, the appropriate program office in the South Carolina Department of Education is fully aware and has approved her services as part of the grant. Likewise, Champagne has fully cooperated with the law enforcement agency investigating these allegations.“It is misfortunate that these allegations are becoming a distraction to both district and, particularly, Champagne as she has made worked diligently to bring positive and impactful changes in lives of the students of Clarendon 1," saidnChampagne's attorney, J. Lewis Cromer of Columbia, in a prepared statement. "During her leadership the school district is making significant strides in test scores, family and community engagement, educational standards and teaching, and administrative proficiency. It is likely that legal action will be pursued on her behalf.”
