Richland 1 has spent more than $125,000 of taxpayers’ money on annual gala since 2014

In the last six years, Richland 1 school district has spent more than $125,000 in taxpayer money on an annual gala that honors inductees into the district’s hall of fame, records show.

Between the 2013-2014 school year and the 2018-2019 school year, Richland 1 has spent a total of $318,130.85 to hold the Richland 1 Hall of Fame Gala, according to records The State obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. Most of that cost — $192,456.38 — was covered by ticket sales and sponsorships, records show.

But $125,674.47 — or an average of nearly $21,000 a year — was paid from the general fund. That includes nearly $45,000 in tax dollars spent on last year’s gala, when the gala’s overall cost increased nearly 70 percent from the year before.

Financial information for the most recent gala, which was held on Feb. 1, is not yet available, Richland 1 attorney Susan Williams said in an email.

Since 2014-2015, Richland 1 has spent tax dollars on the banquet every year except 2014-2015, when ticket sales and sponsorships generated nearly $6,000 more in revenue than costs, records show.

Richland 1’s annual Hall of Fame gala is an annual, black-tie-optional event that has featured a red carpet, upscale food, valet parking and live music. At the gala, the district recognizes distinguished alumni and inducts them into the district’s hall of fame. Some of the past inductees have included Nobel Prize winners, the former head of NASA, civil rights leaders, judges and more, according to Richland 1’s website.

This year, the event was held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and tickets sold for $75 each, according to the official Facebook event page.

“We consider this as an investment in recognizing individuals who have given back to the district over the years and serve as an inspiration to our current students,” Richland 1 spokeswoman Karen York said in a statement.

The Hall of Fame was established in 2004. Since then, 85 people have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, which is considered the district’s highest honor, according to Richland 1’s website.

“It’s not surprising at all,” Richland 1 parent Flynn Bowie said of the gala funding. “The current administration has very little concern about overspending.”

Bowie said it’s important to honor prominent Richland 1 alumni and does not oppose holding the Gala. But the event should be paid for with private funds, not taxpayer money.

Newly elected board member Jonathan Milling said he felt similarly.

“I certainly want to recognize people who have helped Richland 1, but if we’re taking money from students, that’s not something I would support,” Milling said.

Information about the gala spending follow criticisms last month of the district spending $700 on custom windbreakers for the seven board members. Parents critical of the windbreaker purchases saw it as a symbol for what they felt was poor financial management of the district’s $337 million budget.

In 2019, a budgeting “mistake” led to $4.5 million in cuts to the district’s budget, according to a previous article from The State.

Richland 1 used to pay for its Hall of Fame gala through a charitable foundation, but that foundation no longer exists, York said. That foundation also paid for an Academic All-Stars Recognition Banquet and the teacher grants program, she said.

District alumni and Richland 1 supporters are working to establish another charitable foundation, which would then take over the gala, the Academic All-Stars banquet and the teacher grants program, York said.

“We look forward to continuing this recognition program until the foundation takes it over,” York said.

Richland 1 board member Lila Anna Sauls said in an email she supports the Hall of Fame Gala, and is eager for Richland 1 to re-establish a foundation to pay for it and other, similar events.

“The event itself is a source of pride for many throughout the District,” Sauls said. “Having a background in nonprofit fundraising, I see the need now more than ever for the Foundation — currently being reorganized — to take it on, and make sure the tradition of recognizing our students and alumni continues while at the same time making sure the event is financially responsible.”

Source: Hall of Fame report, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act