Larke loans investigated

The Richmond County school board is investigating allegations that Superintendent Charles Larke approved more than a half-million dollars in taxpayer money for loans to school employees.

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During the past week, school board members Helen Minchew, Ken Echols and A.K. Hasan have confirmed to The Augusta Chronicle that board attorney Pete Fletcher is investigating the allegations. Mr. Fletcher also is drafting a letter outlining the grounds for Dr. Larke's termination.

Mr. Echols said he had been advised that more than $600,000 was involved in 536 loans to about 200 employees over the past three years.

Mrs. Minchew said she was "taken aback" by the allegations and said the school system isn't designed to be a "social service agency."

"In six years on the board, I don't know of a policy, I don't know of a procedure, I don't even know that we did this, that it was being done," she said. But, it appears that the loans were issued as "routine" business.

Dr. Larke did not return several calls to his office and his cell phone seeking comment. He did, however, speak with a reporter with television station WJBF.

"I was only doing what the school board directed me to do," the superintendent told WJBF.

Dr. Larke said the "advances" were made according to school board policy and were given only in extenuating circumstances.

An Augusta Chronicle request made earlier this week to Mr. Fletcher for details of his investigation was denied.

News of the loans comes as board members are nearing a deal that would settle the superintendent's standing with the school system. Dr. Larke and the board have been negotiating his contract since April.

But the latest developments may all but close the door on any deals.

Mr. Hasan said it sinks any chances of working out a deal for Dr. Larke's retirement. It would "almost be irrational" to negotiate Dr. Larke's departure now.

Board member Jimmy Atkins doesn't favor a deal at this point.

"He doesn't think we can do anything to him, but I'm afraid we're going to prove him wrong," he said.

Mr. Atkins said the "only deal is for him to leave."

"I would have to see the details of it, but I can't imagine any deal right now being brought to the table that I would support," he said.

Mrs. Minchew, who didn't vote to start the termination procedures, said any talk of negotiating is "on hold" and that she is "uncomfortable" moving forward until the investigation is complete.

The loan investigation "blows" Mr. Echols' mind.

"As far as I'm concerned, Dr. Larke has pretty much sealed the deal for his future with the school board in my opinion," he said. "I'm one vote, but my vote would be for his immediate termination if these facts are true. That would be no negotiations, no nothing."

Still, board Vice President Barbara Padgett said Wednesday morning that she was hopeful a deal could be reached, although she added nothing was "concrete" or had been presented to board members.

A resolution could be reached "very, very soon," she said.

They couldn't speak to the specifics of the allegations, but both Phil Hartley, legal counsel for the Georgia School Boards Association, and Janice Griffith, a Georgia State University law professor, said they wouldn't recommend to clients issuing any such loans.

"My gut reaction is that this is not proper," Ms. Griffith said.

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission, the agency that investigates complaints against educators, hasn't been contacted, said Gary Walker, the director of the commission's ethics division.

Mr. Walker said without all the facts it would be difficult for him to determine whether there were any violations of educator standards.

Augusta District Attorney Danny Craig said Wednesday he was unaware of the allegations and couldn't comment on the legality of such accusations.

The Georgia Department of Education also declined to comment without more information.

Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.