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CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - After months of the Charleston County School District being without a permanent superintendent, the board made a decision in Monday night’s meeting.
The Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees met for hours and following an executive session, they offered acting superintendent Anita Huggins a permanent role in the district.
The 5-4 vote passed on the Moms for Liberty-backed board following an intense debate surrounding the decision with board members saying they were blindsided by this suggestion.
The Moms for Liberty-backed candidates, Carlotte Bailey, Edward Kelley, Keith Grybowski, Leah Whatley and Pamela McKinney, all voted in favor of offering Huggins the immediate position.
Carol Tempel, Courtney Waters, Darlene Roberson and Daron Calhoun voted against the decision.
The board approved Huggins into the role without a superintendent search occurring – which is traditionally how candidates are chosen.
Huggins was placed in the role at the end of Oct. 27 after Dr. Eric Gallien resigned after months of controversy surrounding his position.
Members for Huggins hiring said the best job training is being in the role – which Huggins has done for the last few months.
“I believe Ms. Huggins has done an extremely good role in her position as deputy superintendent in this period of time,” Board Chair Keith Grybowski said. “I think she is more than qualified and I think this district really needs stability.”
Members against the decision stressed how they still supported Huggins in the role – just not in the way the process was conducted.
They said they were blindsided by this possibility without any notice of the proposal before.
“This board is disgusting. This is what happens when you don’t pay attention when you are voting,” board member Courtney Waters said. “We have to do better as people. We have nine people on this board there’s no way at 10:28 p.m. with executive session moved to the end of the meeting that we should be confirming a superintendent for three years.”
No word on when Huggins’ new contract will officially start.
This is a developing story.
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