By Thomas Grant Jr.
As the Lexington High School baseball starts Region 4-5A play this week, an investigation continues into an alleged hazing involving the team.
In a statement from Lexington County School District One, the incident was reported during the week of Feb. 16. The school then notified the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department who then contacted two days later the S.C. Law Enforcement Division.
“At the request of law enforcement, the school paused its internal review while SLED began its work,” the statement read. “On March 2, Lexington High School was advised it could move forward with a separate school-based investigation.
“Lexington High School and Lexington County School District One are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Hazing and any behavior that harms students is taken very seriously. The district will continue to follow board policy and district procedures as the school’s review moves forward.”
The New Irmo News/Lake Murray News is still awaiting a response from SLED regarding a Freedom of Information Act request. On Tuesday, the district’s communications office reiterated it had no additional details to share as it remains an active investigation.
The office also stated “all student discipline information is protected information under the federal student privacy law.”
Lexington opens region play Wednesday at home against Irmo. The Wildcats looked to snap a 5-game losing streak and are coming off a 7-0 loss to James Island in a rematch of last year’s Class 5A Division I final won by the Trojans.
