SC Midlands teacher accused of hate group affiliation no longer employed by district

The Lexington County teacher accused on social media of having ties to hate groups is no longer a teacher at Pleasant Hill Middle School, the district announced Friday.

“On Friday, May 15, Lexington County School District One accepted Timothy D. Manning Jr.’s request to be released from his teaching contract,” spokeswoman Mary Beth Hill said in a statement. “Manning is no longer a district employee.”

Manning left the district just days after the accusations against him surfaced on social media. The school district had said Thursday that Manning was on leave.

Manning’s attorney on Thursday strongly denied that he or his wife had ties to hate groups.

“They are not members of, nor do they sympathize in any way with, fringe or otherwise prejudicial groups or associations. . . . The Mannings are good, hardworking public servants,” attorney Elizabeth Millender said in a statement issued Thursday.

Manning was a seventh grade social studies teacher at Pleasant Hill, according to the school’s website. A background check shows that Manning attended the University of South Carolina where he studied history.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 5:02 PM.