Twins to Remain in District 5 During Ongoing Dispute

By: Connie LeGrand/News Channel 7 | News Channel 7
Published: November 02, 2007

The Spartanburg County parents of 6-year-old twin girls say their daughters will remain at Wellford Elementary for now, despite an on-going dispute with the District 5.

On Thursday, we told you the Jacksons said they had been notified earlier this month, that Peyton and Presley could not continue to attend Wellford elementary, without paying tuition due a District error.

The family lives on Lake Lyman Road in Lyman, where one half of the road is in District 5. The other half is in District 1.   In a letter, District 5 Superintendent Scott Turner told the Jackson’s that in order to finish out the entire school year in District 5, they would have to pay $3500 tuition after December 20, 2007. Senator John Hawkins of Spartanburg was outraged that his calls and correspondence, on behalf of the family, had not been returned.


Although News Channel 7 was told Dr. Turner was unavailable for an interview yesterday, we reported the statement issued by District Spokesperson Barry Reese, who said in an e-mail, “School districts must consider what is fair and equitable for all families that they serve. The District Five Superintendent and Board of Trustees feel that they must remain consistent with regard to out of district attendance and payment of tuition. The District has offered to allow the students to continue attending Wellford Elementary if the family makes arrangements to pay tuition, as other families from outside the District are required to do.”


In an e-mail from Dr. Turner today, he emphasized that he originally offered to allow the girls to stay until December 20^th and pay tuition after that date, but says he did not hear back from the family. We again offered the opportunity for Dr. Turner to talk to us on camera, but as of late Friday afternoon, News Channel 7 has not yet heard back from him. Senator Hawkins is out of the office until Monday, but both the Senator’s office and Turner’s e-mail confirm the two spoke this morning.


The girls’ mother, Dabney Jackson, tells us she spoke with Dr. Turner this afternoon, and the girls will stay in District 5 until at least December. She says the family plan to plead their case at the next school board meeting in hopes they won’t have to pay tuition to finish out remainder of the school year.