Extra $8.6M was spent to build an SC school. Money went to fees, not classrooms
Improper permitting for a construction project cost a Columbia school district millions in fees for site upkeep and security before being demolished. Some $8.6 million in district dollars were spent — more than a quarter of the $31 million budget allocated to build the school.
An early learning center, which Richland School District 1 planned for the corner of Caughman and Rawlinson roads, was to be a facility designed for infant care and preschool children, along with family services.
Construction had been underway for several months when Richland County issued a stop work order in January 2024. The district failed to obtain the proper permitting. With a foundation laid and walls raised, the site sat untouched for 14 months before the board took action to end the project for good earlier this year. But before it did, site security and upkeep at property at Caughman and Rawlinson roads cost the district.
The district provided the following breakdown of the costs associated with the $8.6 million figure. It did not clarify what services the vendors provided.
- Jumper Carter Sease Architects, PA - $1,769,170.36
- Grimball, Cotterill & Associates - $5,500
- KCI Technologies - $81,076
- Contract Construction, Inc. - $6,796,659.51
- Bunnel-Lammons Engineering, Inc. - $11,400
- Blooming and Grooming - $2,560
Of the $6.7 million paid to Contract Construction, Inc., $900,000 was for suspension and termination monetary claims after Richland 1 terminated its contract with the company. It is the only company that requested such a payout.
Demolition recently concluded. The district is waiting on invoices, and could not provide the cost of demolition.
District spokesperson Karen York said site stabilization is underway, which includes architectural and engineering design approval by Richland County officials.
When the county approves plans and the completed work, the initial land disturbance permit will be closed.
The State requested interviews with Superintendent Todd Walker and district chief operations officer Bob Grant. That request was denied.
The district still owns the 12 acres of property, which is valued at $52,000, according to Richland County property records. The site could be used for an early learning center in the future, or another school, but no immediate decisions have been made.
During school board meetings, community members have expressed concerns about the property being snapped up for private interests or being sold to build a charter school. But the school board quickly quelled those fears.
“The property is not going anywhere ... we can all take a breath and take some time to figure out what to do in the future,” Robert Lominack, chair of the Richland 1 school board, said. ”Right now, I want to make sure our new superintendent has a chance to really take stock of the current buildings, the current students and families, and make sure that we have a really good foundation.”
This story was originally published October 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
