Midlands School Board Members Clash, Police Report Filed Amid Election Tensions

Midlands School Board Members Clash, Police Report Filed

In Chapin, South Carolina, an altercation between two school board members has escalated to a police report being filed, highlighting tensions ahead of the upcoming election. The incident occurred on October 28 during a meeting of the Lexington-Richland 5 school board.

Who Was Involved?

The confrontation involved board member Catherine Huddle and fellow board member Mike Satterfield. Huddle recently filed a complaint with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department after Satterfield allegedly confronted her about an election mailer connected to her re-election campaign.

What Happened?

During the October 28 board meeting, Huddle reported that Satterfield approached her during a break, visibly upset about a political mailer from the Defeating Communism PAC. The mailer criticized Chapin High School teacher Mary Wood, Satterfield’s daughter, for her decision to teach about racism from a Black man’s perspective.

According to Huddle, the encounter was intense. She wrote in her statement, “He was less than a foot from my face, yelling ‘you did this! This is your fault! This is on you!’” Huddle stated that she felt threatened and intimidated, leading her to tears. To regain her composure, she stepped away from the scene, while Satterfield continued expressing his anger.

Why Did This Matter?

The situation escalated further when Huddle reported the incident to the sheriff’s department as a “civil disturbance.” She expressed that due to Satterfield’s behavior and lack of apology, he should no longer serve on the board. Huddle’s claims were included in the minutes of the November 18 board meeting.

Conversely, Satterfield dismissed the police report, stating that it is merely a “citizen’s complaint” and does not indicate an official investigation. He criticized the matter as “cutting and pasting stuff from Facebook,” rejecting the seriousness of Huddle’s claims.

Board Member Reactions

Satterfield’s wife, Kathryn Clark Satterfield, standing by her husband, noted that Satterfield did not seek out Huddle but rather crossed paths with her. She claimed he raised his voice but did not yell or scream, asserting that he was genuinely upset as any concerned parent would be.

Another board member, Kevin Scully, witnessed the incident. Huddle remarked that Scully did not intervene during Satterfield’s confrontation, thereby questioning Scully’s reliability as a board member. Scully later attempted to remove Huddle’s statements from board minutes, citing potential legal repercussions.

This action sparked further disagreement, as Huddle insisted that state laws allow board members to include such items in the minutes. The board ultimately voted 3-2 to remove her statements, with Satterfield, Scully, and Scott Herring supporting the motion.

Ongoing Tensions and Future Implications

This incident showcases the increasing divisions among board members in Lexington-Richland 5. With elections approaching, such conflicts could have ramifications on board dynamics and decision-making. Huddle’s claims and Satterfield’s response have brought attention to the often-contentious nature of school board politics.

As further developments unfold, it remains to be seen how these tensions will impact not just the members involved but also the broader school district and community.