New Charleston County School Superintendent Contract Controversy

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – New Charleston Co. school superintendent’s contract nears final approval

Anita Huggins has signed the contract to officially become the new superintendent, filling the role left by the departure of Dr. Eric Gallien. At least one school board member, however, says the contract should be approved by the full board before the board’s chair signs it.

Email Controversy

In response to an email from Charleston County School Board Chair Keith Grybowski, board member Carol Tempel expressed concerns about the contract approval process. Tempel stated that signing a contract without the full board’s approval appeared authoritarian and bypassed the established hiring process.

Tempel highlighted that the lack of interviews, resumes, advertisements, or panel reviews seemed to short-circuit the hiring process. She emphasized the need for transparency and ethical considerations in the superintendent hiring process.

The email exchange has sparked debate within the school board about the proper procedures for approving the superintendent’s contract.

Legal Counsel and Board Consent

Tempel questioned the legality of the chair signing the contract without board consent and called for a reevaluation of the process. She stressed the importance of integrity and respect for the board members’ roles in the hiring process.

Despite the controversy surrounding the contract approval, Anita Huggins has officially signed the document, signaling her acceptance of the superintendent position.

Next Steps

As the contract nears final approval, the Charleston County School Board will need to address the concerns raised by board member Tempel and ensure that the superintendent hiring process follows established guidelines and principles.

Stay tuned for updates on the outcome of the contract approval process and the official appointment of Anita Huggins as the new superintendent of the Charleston County School District.