The latest on Jerome Singleton’s exit, buyout from SCHSL after retirement
The SC High School League executive committee voted unanimously Monday to begin final negotiations for commissioner Jerome Singleton’s exit.
“I make a motion that we follow and authorize the advice given to us by (SCHSL attorney) Michael Montgomery during our executive session and we authorize him with completing the separation,” board member Harrison Goodwin said.
The committee met for about 30 minutes in executive session during a specially called meeting Monday to discuss final exit procedures and a settlement for Singleton, who had five years left on his contract.
Singleton’s most recent salary was $205,740, per information obtained by The State via public records request. Since he has years left on his contract, the SCHSL will likely pay Singleton a buyout/settlement fee (the exact total isn’t yet known).
Singleton has served as SCHSL commissioner for more than 20 years, first assuming the role in July 2005. In March, the league’s executive committee announced the longtime commissioner will retire no later than July 1, 2027, “pending the finding of an acceptable replacement.”
Last month, the SCHSL executive committee voted to direct the league’s personnel and finance committee to seek an interim commissioner. On June 4, the executive committee voted staff member Amy Boozer as interim commissioner as the league continues to look for a permanent replacement for Singleton.
Boozer’s first day is Wednesday.
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More on Singleton’s retirement, SCHSL drama
Singleton’s end of tenure comes months after House Bill 4163 moved through the state Legislature. The bill was approved by the S.C. House and Senate, and it was signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster earlier this month.
In its original form, House Bill 4163 would have abolished the SCHSL and created a state-run S.C. High School Athletic Association. Instead, legislators compromised to keep the S.C. High School League together but with different ways it must operate.
The biggest changes: The league is now subject to government oversight, the league can be audited by the S.C. Legislative Audit Council and other state agencies and the contract of the SCHSL commissioner cannot exceed three years.
The bill won’t go into effect until July 1, 2027.
“The thought of retirement isn’t new to me. It just came time. But it gives the impression that it was an ultimatum (by executive committee or lawmakers). The league never said they gave us an ultimatum,” Singleton told The State in March. “... At some point, all good things and all bad things come to an end.”
“It is a good time to do it,” Singleton, 66, added of his retirement. “I feel like we have done a lot of things that have changed the way we look at things in South Carolina.”
This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 11:23 AM with the headline "The latest on Jerome Singleton’s exit, buyout from SCHSL after retirement."
