SC middle school coach removed, wrestling program at standstill. What happened?
.jpg "Parents say a teacher at Crayton Middle School was removed from the building on Nov. 17, 2025.")
A teacher at Crayton Middle School was removed from the building in November. Students and parents don’t know why, and the school district won’t say.
Stephen Price, a mathematics teacher who also coached the Crayton’s wrestling team, was escorted from school premises on Nov. 17 during school hours, said Meagan Kerr, the parent of a Crayton student and member of the wrestling team. Kerr told The State that students were instructed to go into their classrooms, shut the doors and told to remain there while Price was escorted out.
Since then, the wrestling program at the Forest Acres school has been at a standstill.
In a Nov. 20 message, which was obtained by The State, Crayton Principal Angela Burns told parents and guardians that the school wanted to address questions regarding Price’s absence and encouraged families to reach out to her with questions.
“While we understand that you may have concerns please know that we are unable to share specific details due to privacy laws that protect all employees,” Burns wrote. “What we can assure you is that we are committed to maintaining a safe and productive learning environment for your children. ... we have measures in place to ensure students receive the support they need.”
Burns said that instruction would continue as planned.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in avoiding speculation or spreading rumors, as this can be harmful and inaccurate,” Burns wrote.
Price is still listed as a faculty member on the middle school’s website. He could not be reached for comment.
Wrestling practice was abruptly canceled, Kerr said, and parents and students are “completely in the dark,” with little information about the future of the wrestling programs. It’s led to safety concerns among families, and rumors among students, she said.
“Right now the lack of information is causing a lot of confusion and speculation,” Kerr wrote in an email to Burns on Nov. 20.
A spokesperson for Richland School District 1 declined to answer a reporter’s questions about the nature of Price’s removal, the status of his employment or if any disciplinary action was taken.
“The situation at Crayton involves a confidential personnel matter, which is being addressed,” Karen York said in a statement. “Yes, there may be some rumors and misinformation about the situation but, as I noted, this involves a confidential personnel matter so we cannot discuss any possible disciplinary actions or other details.”
York said wrestling practices were canceled because the program is without a coach, though the principal is continuing to explore options and is hopeful wrestling will be able to resume.
Kerr said that parents volunteered to coach the team, but were told they were not allowed to do so.
The wrestling team has three meets in the next two weeks that they will not be able to attend, Kerr said.
