Hillcrest High School - Wildcat Yearbook (Dalzell, SC)

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Davis, Sumter County Rep. Charles l,. Griffin lll, Per- sonnel Director james Kolb and Shaw Heights Kinder- garten teacher Marsha Ogles. Wednesday, former Dis- trict 2 trustee Mrs. Dorothy Spence became the eighth witness in the third day of the hearing. She was fol- lowed by Pinewood Mayor Daniel W. Barwick and for- mer board chairman john Northrup. These first ten witnesses equalled the number that testified Thursday, when the prosecution rested its case. Three of the last ten were trustees: Heyward Choice, Robert McCombs and Moses Williams. Also testifying was newly-elected board chairman the Rev. Otis j. Nelson. His story, given in the late afternoon, ended prosecutor Mrs. jean 'I'oal's case. Assistant Superintendent Steward Baylor, Dillon County Superintendent of Education Victor Berry, Dis- trict Art Consultant Samuel Fiorini, Eastern Elementary School Principal Leon Richardson, Mayesville ln- stitute Principal W.B. Sanders and Oakland Ele- mentary School Secretary Betty Vannoy rounded out the day of testimony. The following Monday, February 7, the defense called its first witnesses. Former School District 2 Board Chairman Kirk Edens was the first defense wit- ness to take the stand. Four more witnesses were called the same day: form- er Dillon County School Board Chairman C.C. Berry, Mitchell's secretary Mrs. Wilhelmina Chandler, parent Nathaniel Cooper and Sumter contractor Bob Kirven. Due to scheduling con- flicts, the court was not in session 'l'uesday and Wed- nesday. Thursday the case re- sumed once again, with Dent calling eight more witnesses: Rafting Creek Elementary School Principal Norman F. Brown, jr., secretary Brenda Crowley, Federal Programs Director Bob Hall, Public Information Officer jean Lawrimore, Hillcrest Assistant Principal Elijah S. McCants, Mitchell's son Billy, a USC senior, former District Trustee Sonny Montgomery and former District 2 social worker Mrs. Mary White. Mitchell's former sec- retary Marlene Dunwoody started Friday's session by taking the stand. Trustee HM. Watt also testified. Saturday the defense rested its case. In addi- tion to Mitchell testify- ing, Trustee Carroll Bennett, ex-officio board member I.t. Col. Bill Oney and Rep. David F. Mclnnis also took the witness stand. james Kolb was the only witness called to testify by both sides. Teal was given the chance to call rebuttal witnesses on February 21 to the Bishopville courthouse. Among those chosen were Rep. Griffin, Sen. Miles and former District 2 Superintendent Dr. Hugh Stoddard. Closing state- ments by both sides were also made. Now Beattie must review the case and make his re- commendation to judge Laney. Decisions made in the case may be appealed to the S.C. Supreme Court. Issues 47

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At the Lee County Court- house in Bishopville atten- tion was centered on the spacious courtroom lanuary 17. The hearing was ready to begin, except for one mi- nor detail. Neither side had requested a court re- corder. That's one thing they can't blame me for, com- mented District 2 Super- intendent Dr. ll. William Mitchell later. Thus began the court pro- ceedings of the school Dis- trict 2 Board versus Dr. Mitchell. ln December, eight charges were levied against the superintendent by the board. Charges that were pending included: misuse of posi- tion and authority to en- gender public opposition to duly adopted board poli- cies, misuse of district personnel and equipment. insubordination, incompe- tence, and attempted intimi- dation of district employees by threatening to ad- versely affect such board member's job security, Also, procurement of board action by misre- presentation, willful ne- glect of duties and respon- sibilities, and finally. attempted intimidation of district employees by threatening to adversely affect the public security of such employee's spouse. Meanwhile in Bishopville, a court recorder was called from Columbia to come to the session, and court was recessed until 2 p.m. During the break, both sides met and decided the case should be referred to Lee County Master in Equity, Archie Beattie. After hearing the evidence, Beattie would make recom- mendations to Third Circuit Iudge Dan Lan ey on whether just cause existed for Mitchell to be fired. 46 issues 'I'wo weeks later the Spot- light was again on the courthouse. Mitchell's at- torney, Harry Dent of Columbia, asked that the board be more specific in charges against the doctor. Again, court was recessed until the early afternoon. Then Dent stated that more time was needed to hear the charges. Beattie called for them to be ready to present the case early the next morning. Tuesday Dent said after hearing the charges, it would be necessary to re- quest a private hearing. Beattie started to object because no written request for a closed hearing had been made. llowever, he was then presented with a Ianuary 6 letter from Mitchell to the board re- questing a private-hearing. Two days after the con- tent of this letter had been published, Dent said it was a mistake and the super- intendent wanted a public hearing. There was some specu- lation as to whether this had been planned before- hand. Dent cited at least two reasons for the request. The first was that they would not be able to refute statements made for two days. Another reason given was that witnesses could not be sequestered if the hearing was public. Prosecution witnesses started to testify on February 1. District 2 Busi- ness Manager T.O. Brunson was the first to give test- imony in the case. Six more witnesses test- ified onthe next Tuesday: maintenance and operations director Robert Bateman, Shaw Heights Elementary School Principal, Iames Brown, Assistant Su- perintendent of Public Per- sonnel Services Reynolds bclwiad closed e ..-- KF' ti' X 1. I

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