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by ERIN PARROTT
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As the 2026-2027 school year begins in earnest, the South Carolina State Board of Education (SCSBE) is continuing its efforts to hold educators accountable for misconduct – which means FITSNews is continuing its ‘Educators Exposed‘ series, examining the latest disciplinary actions and their impact on teacher and administrator certifications across South Carolina.
In August of 2026, the board considered disciplinary action against fifteen (15) certified educators across the state. While two of those cases stemmed from alleged breach-of-contract violations and one was an order of denial, twelve of those cases involved six orders of summary suspension, three orders of suspension, one order of permanent voluntary surrender, one order of revocation and one order of public reprimand.
For this month’s installment, the cases involve a range of disciplinary actions stemming from educator arrests, alleged misconduct, inappropriate behavior and, in some cases, allegations that educators were under the influence while on school property.
The cases we’re tracking this month span seven Palmetto State counties – Berkeley, Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Horry, Saluda and York – and also include an educator who worked at a private school in Columbia, a Georgia educator who holds a South Carolina credential and two Florida educators with South Carolina teaching certificates.
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MEGAN BOLT
- Type: Order of Summary Suspension
- Date: August 26, 2026
- Certificate: 214837
- Allegation: Arrested on the felony charge of criminal solicitation of a minor.
- District: Florence Public School District One
- Status: Certificate summarily suspended pending due process.
On or about August 11, 2026, Megan Bolt was arrested on a felony charge of criminal solicitation of a minor – six days after she resigned from her position as a teacher with Florence Public School District One. Bolt holds a South Carolina educator certificate and has more than 21 years of experience in education.
Following her arrest, the S.C. Department of Education (SCDE) requested the summary suspension of Bolt’s educator certificate, citing the serious nature of the allegation and its belief that she could pose a threat to the “health, safety, and welfare” of students under her instruction.
On August 26, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education summarily suspended Bolt’s certificate pending a due process hearing or other resolution of the matter.
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TAMIKA FORDHAM
- Type: Order of Summary Suspension
- Date: August 27, 2026
- Certificate: 226682
- Allegation: Arrested on the felony charge of unlawfully placing a child at risk of or causing harm or willfully abandoning a child.
- District: Berkeley County School District
- Status: Certificate summarily suspended pending due process.
On or about August 6, 2026, Tamika Fordham was arrested on the felony charge of unlawfully placing a child at risk of or causing harm or willfully abandoning a child, following her resignation from the Berkeley County School District on July 23, 2026.
Fordham – who has over 20 years of educator experience – was believed to pose a threat to the health, safety and welfare of students, who may be under her instruction and that emergency action is required. As a result, the S.C. State Board of Education voted to suspend her educator certificate on August 27, 2026 pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
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MELISSA FRANCES GROLEAU
- Type: Consent Order of Permanent Voluntary Surrender
- Date: August 4, 2026
- Certificate: 306477
- Allegation: Arrested on two counts of the felony charge of second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, second degree assault and battery, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
- School: Saluda High School
- District: Saluda County School District
- Status: Certificate voluntarily surrendered.
On August 8, 2025, Melissa Frances Groleau was arrested on two felony counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, as well as charges of second-degree assault and battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Groleau, who had more than four years of experience as an educator, had her South Carolina educator certificate summarily suspended later that month.
Groleau later pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery, and the original charges were dismissed. According to the State Board’s order, the indictment on the assault charge included specific allegations involving criminal sexual acts with a minor. Groleau was sentenced to ten years in prison, suspended upon service of one year behind bars and five years of probation. She was also required to register as a sex offender.
On August 4, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education accepted Groleau’s permanent voluntary surrender of her educator certificate after she waived her right to a hearing. The surrender has the same effect as a permanent revocation, meaning Groleau forfeited her ability to work as an educator – or in several other capacities – in South Carolina public schools.
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GABRIEL HERNANDEZ
- Type: Order of Revocation
- Date: August 4, 2026
- Certificate: 295595
- Allegation: Arrested on a charge of cruelty to children.
- District: Horry County
- Status: Certificate revoked.
On April 14, 2023, Gabriel Hernandez was arrested by the Horry County Police Department (HCPD) on a charge of cruelty to children following two incidents involving a student at the school where he worked. Hernandez, who had more than four years of teaching experience, held a South Carolina educator certificate that was later summarily suspended. The criminal matter was adjudicated and no longer appears in the state’s Public Index, according to the S.C. State Board of Education.
According to the board’s order, the incidents occurred in March 2023. During the first, Hernandez allegedly ignored a student who was banging their head on a cafeteria table and criticized a paraprofessional for “babying” the student after they intervened. The following day, the same student began banging their head on a bookshelf, at which point Hernandez allegedly dragged the struggling student by the wrists across the classroom before pinning the student’s knees against their chest for approximately 30 to 45 seconds. A paraprofessional eventually pulled Hernandez away, according to the order.
On August 4, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education voted to revoke Hernandez’s educator certificate after he failed to request a hearing and was found to be in default. Hernandez is eligible to reapply for certification after three years, at which point he would be subject to a character and fitness review and background checks.
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JONATHAN ANDREW MONK
- Type: Order of Summary Suspension
- Date: August 3, 2026
- Certificate: 283068
- Allegation: Arrested for multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges.
- School: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
- District: Independent private school in Columbia
- Status: Certificate summarily suspended pending due process.
On July 28, 2026, Jonathan Andrew Monk was arrested on multiple federal charges related to the alleged sexual exploitation of minors and child sexual abuse material. The charges included allegations of inducing or coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the production of visual depictions, as well as receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.
Monk held an expired South Carolina educator certificate and had more than one year of experience as an educator. According to the S.C. State Board of Education, he was not employed by a South Carolina public school at the time of the alleged conduct.
On August 3, 2026, the board summarily suspended Monk’s expired educator certificate after the SCDE argued the serious nature of the allegations gave the agency reason to believe he could pose a threat to the “health, safety, and welfare” of students. The summary suspension prevents Monk from reapplying for or renewing his educator certificate while the matter remains pending and will remain in place until a due process hearing is held or the case is otherwise resolved.
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CAITLYN DANIELLE MORGAN
- Type: Consent Order of Public Reprimand
- Date: August 4, 2026
- Certificate: 318967
- Allegation: Arrested on the felony charges of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, two counts of providing a false statement by medical provider to Department of Health and Human Services, forgery > $10,000, and criminal conspiracy.
- School: Gateway Elementary School
- District: Greenville County School District
- Status: Consent order of public reprimand accepted.
On February 27, 2025, Caitlyn Danielle Morgan was arrested on felony charges of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, two counts of providing a false statement by a medical provider to the Department of Health and Human Services, forgery greater than $10,000 and criminal conspiracy. Morgan, who had more than one year of educator experience and no prior disciplinary record with the S.C. State Board of Education, was employed as a teacher at Gateway Elementary School in the Greenville County School District at the time of the incident. Her educator certificate was summarily suspended on May 29, 2025.
On April 9, 2026, Morgan pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of providing a false statement by a medical provider to the Department of Health and Human Services. All other charges against her were dismissed, and following the resolution of the criminal case, Morgan’s educator certificate was reinstated on May 8, 2026.
The State Board ultimately voted to publicly reprimand Morgan’s educator certificate after finding her guilty pleas constituted grounds for disciplinary action. Morgan agreed to waive her right to a hearing and enter into the consent order, which was approved by the board on August 4, 2026. The reprimand will be reported to the NASDTEC Clearinghouse and all South Carolina school districts.
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BRIAN LEO PAVLUCHUK
- Type: Order of Summary Suspension
- Date: August 25, 2026
- Certificate: 320540
- Allegation: Arrested in Florida on three felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior, molestation of a victim less than 12 years of age.
- Status: Certificate summarily suspended pending due process.
On August 14 and August 19, 2026, Brian Leo Pavluchuk was arrested in Florida on three felony counts of lewd and lascivious behavior involving the alleged molestation of a victim under the age of 12. Pavluchuk holds a South Carolina educator certificate and has more than 11 years of experience as an educator. At the time of the alleged conduct, he was working as a teacher in Florida.
Following the arrests, the SCDE requested the emergency suspension of Pavluchuk’s South Carolina educator certificate. According to the department, the serious nature of the allegations gave officials reason to believe Pavluchuk could pose a threat to the “health, safety, and welfare” of students under his instruction.
On August 25, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education summarily suspended Pavluchuk’s educator certificate. The suspension will remain in effect until a due process hearing is held or the matter is otherwise resolved, and Pavluchuk could ultimately face the suspension or revocation of his certificate.
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BENJAMIN EDWARD ROMANOWSKI
- Type: Order of Suspension
- Date: August 4, 2026
- Certificate: 317241
- Allegation: Was determined to be under the influence of alcohol for a second time while on school premises in Georgia.
- Status: Certificate suspended for one year.
On March 12, 2026, Benjamin Edward Romanowski’s Georgia educator certificate was suspended for one year after the Georgia Professional Standards Commission determined he had been under the influence of alcohol for a second time while on school premises. Romanowski, who has more than four years of educator experience, was working as an educator in Georgia at the time and had no prior disciplinary record with the S.C. State Board of Education.
Romanowski also holds a valid South Carolina professional educator certificate. Following the disciplinary action in Georgia, the S.C. Department of Education notified him of the possible suspension of that certificate. According to the board, Romanowski received the notice but did not request a hearing and was subsequently found to be in default.
On August 4, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education voted to suspend Romanowski’s South Carolina educator certificate for one year. To have his certificate reinstated following the suspension, Romanowski must submit a written request to the SCDE and meet the certification requirements in effect at that time.
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RELATED | EDUCATORS EXPOSED: RECENT REVELATIONS
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KRISTIAN CONNOR SANCHEZ
- Type: Order of Summary Suspension
- Date: August 26, 2026
- Certificate: 332252
- Allegation: Arrested on the felony charge of first degree assault and battery.
- Status: Certificate summarily suspended pending due process.
On August 6, 2026, Kristian Connor Sanchez was arrested on a felony charge of first-degree assault and battery. Sanchez, who had less than one year of educator experience, was a charter school teacher at the time of the incident. He resigned from the district the following day, on August 7.
Following his arrest, the SCDE requested the emergency suspension of Sanchez’s educator certificate, arguing the serious nature of the allegation gave the agency reason to believe he could pose a threat to the “health, safety, and welfare” of students under his instruction.
On August 26, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education summarily suspended Sanchez’s educator certificate. The suspension will remain in effect until a due process hearing is held or the matter is otherwise resolved, and Sanchez could ultimately face the suspension or revocation of his certificate.
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DEVON MICHAEL SMALLS
- Type: Order of Summary Suspension
- Date: August 12, 2026
- Certificate: 276429
- Allegation: Arrested on the felony charges of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, 1st degree assault and battery, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- District: Charleston County School District
- Status: Certificate summarily suspended pending due process.
On April 3, 2024, Devon Michael Smalls was arrested on felony charges of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, first-degree assault and battery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Smalls, who has more than 12 years of educator experience, was a teacher with the Charleston County School District at the time. According to the board’s order, the district later learned of his arrest during a routine employee record check.
Following the discovery of Smalls’ arrest, the S.C. Department of Education requested the emergency suspension of his educator certificate, arguing the serious nature of the allegations gave the agency reason to believe he could pose a threat to the “health, safety, and welfare” of students under his instruction.
On August 12, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education summarily suspended Smalls’ educator certificate. The suspension will remain in effect until a due process hearing is held or the matter is otherwise resolved, and Smalls could ultimately face the suspension or revocation of his certificate.
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ALLEN ROBERT SORENSEN
- Type: Order of Suspension
- Date: August 4, 2026
- Certificate: 320779
- Allegation: Inappropriate behavior in front of students in Florida.
- Status: Certificate suspended for a period of two years.
On March 6, 2026, Allen Robert Sorensen’s Florida educator certificate was revoked for two years after the state’s Education Practices Commission found he had behaved in an “inappropriate and unacceptable” manner in front of students. Sorensen, who has more than two years of educator experience, was working as an educator in Florida at the time and also held a valid South Carolina professional educator certificate.
According to the Florida disciplinary action cited by the S.C. State Board of Education, Sorensen discussed his sexuality with students, used obscene language, spoke about sexual matters and made disparaging comments to students. He was also accused of accessing inappropriate websites related to drugs and sex on his school-issued computer.
On August 4, 2026, the S.C. State Board of Education voted to suspend Sorensen’s South Carolina educator certificate for two years – beginning March 6, 2026, and ending March 5, 2028. Sorensen, who had no prior disciplinary record with the board, did not request a hearing and was found to be in default. To have his certificate reinstated after the suspension, he must submit a written request to the SCDE and meet the certification requirements in effect at that time.
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SHANE MATTHEW SWEETING II
- Type: Order of Suspension
- Date: August 4, 2026
- Certificate: 308971
- Allegation: Alleged that he was under the influence of an illegal substance on the sidelines of a school football game.
- School: Catawba Ridge High School
- District: Fort Mill School District in York County.
- Status: Certificate suspended for one year.
On November 7, 2025, Shane Matthew Sweeting II was placed on administrative leave from his position as a teacher at Catawba Ridge High School in the Fort Mill School District amid allegations he was under the influence of an illegal substance on the sidelines of a school football game – a condition reportedly observed by students. Sweeting, who had more than four years of educator experience and no prior disciplinary record with the S.C. State Board of Education, resigned three days later.
According to the board’s order, Sweeting admitted he had taken the day off and consumed a beverage containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at lunch before taking a nap. Sweeting said he believed the effects had worn off before attending the school’s football game that evening. The board ultimately found Sweeting engaged in unprofessional conduct by being under the influence of an illegal substance on the sidelines of the game.
On August 4, 2026, the board suspended Sweeting’s South Carolina educator certificate for one year, through August 3, 2027. Sweeting did not request a hearing and was found to be in default. To have his certificate reinstated following the suspension, he must submit a written request to the SCDE and meet all certification requirements in effect at that time.
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FITSNews will continue tracking disciplinary actions handed down by the South Carolina State Board of Education – scrutinizing the educators involved, the institutions responsible for oversight and the systemic shortcomings that allow misconduct to occur.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.
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