CCSD board entering contract negotiations with superintendent candidate

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston County School District’s board members voted Tuesday morning to enter contract negotiations with one of its superintendent candidates.

After meeting in executive session, the board voted 6-2, with one member not present, to move forward with candidate Dr. Eric Gallien as part of their search for a new district leader.

The vote comes after two of the top three superintendent candidates dropped out of the search last week after the district said a Facebook group had leaked the names early.

“With an unwavering commitment to educational excellence and a proven track record of transformative leadership, the Board intends for Dr. Gallien to formally assume his new role at CCSD this summer, pending contractual negotiations,” the district said in a news release Tuesday afternoon.

Dr. Gallien met with educators and members of the school community last Thursday during a public meet-and-greet. The other planned meetings were postponed or canceled.

Keith Grybowski, Pamela McKinney, Darlene Roberson, Carol Tempel, Courtney Waters, and Daron Calhoun voted to move forward with the pick. Carlotte Bailey and Ed Kelley were nays.

Dr. Gallien currently serves as superintendent of Racine Unified School District in Racine, Wisconsin.

“I’m excited about this next step in the selection process and honored to be the candidate of choice to lead CCSD forward,” said Gallien. “I strongly believe in my ability to bring impactful, positive change to the students, families, and educators of CCSD and look forward to getting to work.”

District officials say Dr. Gallien and CCSD will begin negotiations toward a contract that will be voted on at a subsequent meeting of the Board.