Teacher’s Return Sparks Debate Over School Safety
A special‑education teacher in Lexington County is facing a potential return to the classroom after an arrest last year for alleged physical discipline of students.
Arrest & Charges
Sharon Renee Sweatt was taken into custody on October 30, 2025, charged with third‑degree assault. The incident occurred while she worked at Nursery Road Elementary School.Administrative Actions
October 17, 2025 – the school district moved Sweatt to administrative leave after rumors surfaced. She has remained unpaid on leave since, per a July 16 statement.New Staff Listing
A post from Dutch Fork Middle School on July 15 lists Sweatt as a new staff member. Both schools belong to the same district, raising questions about hiring practices and oversight.
Legal Status
The district claims Sweatt’s lawyer says the allegations were resolved without a guilty verdict, and they expect the case to be removed from public records soon. Sweatt will stay on leave until the matter is fully settled.Allegations
Reports say a teacher’s aide reported seeing Sweatt “pop” students on hands and buttocks multiple times, including a slap that could be heard from the next classroom. Another aide described an incident where Sweatt used her belt to stop a student from hitting others.
These alleged incidents, dated between September 1 and October 17, 2025, were part of the arrest warrant.Current Status
The Post and Courier has requested updates on the case status and how Sweatt was approved for a new role.
Her teaching license remains active, but it is unclear if she will resume duties next school year. The district emphasizes that it investigates allegations thoroughly while respecting employee due process rights.
