CCSD Board votes in favor of negotiating contract with acting superintendent

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The Charleston County School District’s acting superintendent is slated to take over the position permanently.   

The board of trustees voted 5-4 on Monday to authorize CCSD’s counsel to negotiate at  three-year contract with Acting Superintendent Anita Huggins.

Huggins has been in the position since former Superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien and the Charleston County School District parted ways in the fall.  

Back in September, the board voted 5-4 to place the newly hired Dr. Gallien on paid administrative. The decision was not well received throughout the community and resulted in packed school board meetings where people voiced their concerns.

Dr. Gallien was released from his contract at the end of October and Huggins was approved as acting superintendent with a 5-2 vote.

“Honestly, I do think that they do need to go through a well thought out, well planned superintendent search. I feel like the last one was rushed, and it was botched. And we deserve to go through the process the appropriate way,” said Joy Brown, a CCSD parent and education advocate.

The board exited a lengthy executive session where they received legal advice on Huggins’ contract. Before they took a vote, the nine board members engaged in an, at times, heated discussion about what was to come.

“I think this district really needs stability and I think she’s probably one of the best candidates that I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Board Chair Keith Grybowski.

Trustee Daron Lee Calhoun II was one of the four who voted against the move.

“My issue comes with us not going through the process. We have processes for everything,” Calhoun said.

Trustee Ed Kelley added his thoughts saying, “I think there’s no better interview that you can do than the job itself.”

Trustees Courtney Waters, Carol Tempel, and Darlene Roberson were the other three board members who did not vote in favor.

“There are nine members of this board. Four of us were blindsided by a decision to convert Ms. Huggins into the superintendent, with the excuse that the community loves her,” Waters said.

Huggins has previously served as the deputy superintendent and has been with CCSD for over 25 years.