Important Update on Jane Blackwell/Ware Shoals Meeting

Ware Shoals, SC (TLS). Ware Shoals High School Principal Jane Blackwell will hold a public meeting with the School Board on Friday, April 6, at 9 AM, in the Ware Shoals High School Auditorium, in order to present her side of the story in the Jill Moore Cheerleader Sex Scandal.

There had been earlier conflicting reports concerning the nature of the meeting. One report indicated the meeting was open to the public, the other saying it was not. However, the latest word from school board officials is that the meeting is open to the public, but TV news cameras will not be allowed.

The directive is that should TV news teams begin rolling the cameras, the public meeting will immediately be brought to a close, and the meeting will then go into executive session--behind close doors if Blackwell so requests.

Meanwhile, State's Attorney Jerry Peace stated that he had been given new information by the Greenwood County Sheriff's Department indicating that Blackwell may have lied about her knowledge, or lack of knowledge, concerning the activities of former cheerleader coach Jill Moore, who has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Peace stated that officials from the Circuit Solicitor's office will be at the meeting Friday morning to hear Blackwell's explanation.

Blackwell's attorney maintains that his client had no direct knowledge of Moore's activities, particularly when they occurred off school property, and that Blackwell would thus have no authority related to matters that had not been proved.

Thus, not only is Blackwell fighting to keep her job but she is also fighting to stay out of jail.

Needless to say, the community of Ware Shoals anxiously awaits to hear from the Principal herself on Friday morning concerning her version of the events and how she went about handling the issues surrounding the investigation of Jill Moore.

In a late-breaking related note, South Carolina's State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has information that potentially implicates the Ware Shoals School District in the misappropriation of funds. Law enforcement officials state that their investigation into Jill Moore, Jane Blackwell, and the cheerleaders at Ware Shoals High School uncovered information that may indicate a misappropriation of funds at the District level.

A spokesperson for the Ware Shoals School District stated that they are fully cooperating with the investigation and that all of their financial records are open to inspection.