During a contentious Charleston County school board meeting Monday night, trustees voted 5-4 to place Superintendent Eric Gallien on paid administrative pending an investigation for which a basis was not provided. The school board, which met illegally two weeks ago in private session, also met in private session for an extended time Monday.
Trustees unanimously approved a motion to appoint Deputy Superintendent Anita Huggins to “step in to fulfill duties until the investigation concludes.”
The five trustees who voted to put the superintendent on leave — Carlotte Bailey, Edward Kelly, Keith Grybowski, Leah Whatley and chair Pamela McKinney — are linked politically through donations from the right-wing Moms For Liberty group. Board members Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson, Carol Tempel, Courtney Waters and Daron Lee Calhoun II voted against the measure to put Grallien on leave, calling it “unacceptable” and “one of the most dysfunctional boards in the state of South Carolina right now.”
Less than three months ago, Gallien started as the district’s new superintendent following a controversial interview process which saw two candidates withdraw from consideration after their names were prematurely leaked online.
In other news:
Former president admires, but doesn’t buy, handgun in S.C. visit. Former President Donald Trump admired, but didn’t buy, a Glock handgun Monday at a Summerville store during a campaign swing through the Lowcountry. He also met supporters at a campaign office and toured a boat manufacturing facility, where he spoke. Among other things, he urged Congress to shut down the federal government and claimed he could design a better fighter jet than the military, according to the Associated Press.
Candidates differentiate themselves in Charleston mayoral forum. Candidates for Charleston’s mayoral race met Sept. 25, fielding questions about public safety, flooding, quality of life/housing and tourism.
More tourists visiting, spending more money in Charleston visits. Explore Charleston leaders said Monday that tourism in Charleston brings an estimated $12.8 billion to the economy, with the average adult visiting the area spending $1,026 on their trip.
Charleston airport passenger count soars above $4M. Charleston International logged just over 4 million travelers from January through August, besting the 3.98 million for all of 2017, based on the latest report from the Charleston County Aviation Authority.
S.C.-built 787 recruited by Pan Am. The South Carolina-built Dreamliner 787-8 from Boeing Co. has been named the official plane for the Pan American and Parapan American Games Santiago 2023. The Dreamliner also will shuttle the Pan American flame to and from the lighting ceremony in Mexico set for Friday. Meanwhile, Boeing was ordered to build 18 new Dreamliners for Canada Air in a new deal.
Charleston’s vets face housing scarcity. The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System is currently trying to assist in finding housing for over 60 homeless veterans in the Charleston area.
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