COASTAL OBSERVER

Kelly Pope hoped to start her fourth year as the lead teacher at Pawleys Island Christian Academy this fall. After the discovery last month that a registered sex offender had been allowed to work at the school and the Pawleys Island Community Church that runs it, she knew that wasn’t likely.

The church this week announced it would “formally end” the ministry. A statement cited “recent events, the ongoing investigation, and delays with licensing” for the current school year. 

“We believe this decision is in the best interest of the community and church,” the statement says.

It was a parent of a child at the academy who reported on July 13 that Warren Perry, 70, a registered sex offender, was working at the church and school, which served more than 100 students. 

Perry was arrested a day after the complaint was filed with the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office for violating his probation from a 2023 guilty plea for third degree sexual exploitation of a child. That stemmed from his arrest in August 2020. His 10-year sentence was suspended and he received five years probation.

Pope said she and the other teachers were “left in the dark,” and began demanding answers from church leadership about Perry’s involvement.

“I never thought I would mourn a job and my co-workers. It was just so much fun to come to work every day,” Pope said. “The church itself did such great things, and I hate that it is being tarnished because of the actions of others.”

Seven civil suits have been filed against the church, the school and its leaders. In one, the parent of a fomer student claims he was sexually assaulted when he was 5 by Perry, who was a volunteer custodian.

There have been five people arrested in connection with the investigation including Perry; the Rev. Don Williams, the former church pastor; his wife, Ginny, who worked at the church; Jennifer “Niki” Howard, the school director; and Mike Fields, the director of operations at the church.

Don Williams, Howard and Fields were charged with placing a child at risk because they knew of Perry’s status as a sex offender and allowed him to be in contact with children. 

Perry began to work with a staff member and help out around the campus before he was on probation in 2023, Williams said during a meeting held at the church July 15.

After he was put on probation, Perry continued to be involved in working with facilities. Williams said “stringent” safeguards were put in place.

“Don and Ginny had a great way of intimidating people with their words,” Pope said.

The Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating.

Pope said in an interview following the initial arrests that she was praying for the school to open after a few weeks or even a year.

The arrests were just the first step, she said.

“The trust was there, and it just got broken,” she said. “It just doesn’t feel real.”

Her main goal was to get the school operating again, Pope said. She and other teachers at the academy spoke with parents to see who would be willing to come back following the scandal.

“It’s nowhere close to probably what we need, and definitely not close to what we had,” Pope said.

There were originally 46 students in the 3K program alone, she said. There were five still enrolled after parents learned of Perry’s volunteer status.

“We’re trying but I mean I think we’re kind of losing at this point, but we’re trying,” she said at the time of the arrests. “What do you do?”

Pope said establishing a board of directors for its academy would be the next major step that would benefit the school and parents.

The church’s website said current leadership is reviewing all ministry policies and procedures to ensure the safety and security of the children in its care. They are also considering alternative uses for the school facility.

“We’re going to get through it,” she said. “The Lord will provide.”