The parent of the C.E. Murray student has accused certain staff of misconduct. During the public comment portion of the Williamsburg County School District Board meeting, a mother of a C.E. Murray High School student expressed her concern over what she believes to be grade tampering.

Her presence before the board, she said was under the advisement of legal representation. According to the parent, her son has a grade point average of 3.76 and is the only C.E. Murray 11th grader to be inducted into Superintendent’s Academic Hall of Fame in 2012. In addition, she said he was the only student to make honor roll for the entire year.

The mother said her student has been a top honor student since ninth grade, “Until now when all of a sudden he’s number three,” said the parent. She claimed she was notified on May 18, that her son would not be the Marshall for the baccalaureate ceremony on May 20, nor at graduation. 

The parent requested from the board a copy of the criteria used when selecting the top five students. “How can you justify two other students ranking as one and two, when these children were not on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll for the entire year,” she said. “This is mathematically impossible, and many of the students and teachers know this for a fact and they are questioning this wrong decision.” 

The mother also requested an immediate investigation to include the attendance records of the top five junior students and “The fact that a parent, district administrator, and board member using abusive powers to manipulate teachers and (inaudible) administration into giving grades or changing grades,” said she. She added that she would notify South Carolina School Superintendent Mick Zais as well as law enforcement agencies in hopes for a prompt resolution. “From my understanding, grade tampering and conspiracy is a criminal offense and subject to prosecution,” she said, adding, “All children should be treated fairly regardless of who their parents are. Our children, mine and yours deserve the right to receive what they deserve.”  Board trustee Joe Lee said the superintendent will be contact within a short period of time. It is customary for the board to allow 10 days before answering requests.