Trustees take no action on employee after closed-door meeting

School trustees took no action Tuesday after discussing a district employee behind closed doors.

Gaffney High softball team members came to the meeting in support of district courier David Parris, a longtime assistant softball coach. Several softball team players and parents waited to speak with superintendent Dr. Bill James following the meeting.

School trustees met behind closed doors for 45 minutes to discuss Parris. The district employee's computer was reportedly confiscated by law enforcement, pending an investigation into whether inappropriate material was on the computer.

James declined to discuss the personnel matter.

School trustees did approve a couple of administrative recommendations made by the superintendent.

Gaffney Middle Principal Herman Thompson will become the district's transportation, discipline and attendance director next school year. He replaces Jackie Queen, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

Thompson is finishing his seventh year as Gaffney Middle principal. Prior to coming to Cherokee County, he spent time working in the transportation office at the state Department of Education. He will begin his new duties July 1.

One possible replacement for Thompson could be former Ewing Middle Principal Amanda Burnette, who is finishing a yearlong sabbatical as a principal specialist in Dillon 2. The state requires the school district to offer Burnette a comparable job when she returns this summer.

At Tuesday's meeting, school trustees also approved the retirement of Gaffney High assistant principal Thomas Goforth. There are now two assistant principal vacancies at Gaffney High, which will open a new ninth grade addition this fall.