District 5 Trustees to Consider Removing Kim Murphy from Board

Retired Circuit Court Judge G. Thomas Cooper Jr. has recommended Lexington-Richland 5 trustee Kim Murphy be removed from the board after state officials reviewed her residency and determined she lived in Lexington County. 

Cooper, who was asked by the board to serve as a hearing officer in the dispute over Murphy's residency, also said in a report that was released Monday that the school board "has the statutory authority to remove a board member and that Murphy has the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Common Pleas. (Read the full report in the attached document or click the above link.)

A special meeting has been called for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district office, 1020 Dutch Fork Road, for board members to hear statements from legal counsel from both sides and consider Cooper's recommendation.

Murphy was elected to serve one of three seats representing Richland County in 2010.

State officials reviewed the U.S. Census Bureau, precinct maps on file at the Office of Research and Statistics, and research and field work from the S.C. Geodetic Survey to determine Murphy's Old Laurel Lane home in Chapin is located about one-tenth of a mile northwest of the Lexington County boundary.

Murphy, however, said she resides in Richland County having paid property taxes there for a number of years and was issued a voter registration card in the county. 

Read more

• District 5 Board Chair Claims Kim Murphy May be Ineligible to Hold Seat
• Judge Cooper to Hear Dispute Over District 5 Board Member's Residency

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