10/6 NEWSBREAK: Vice president to speak Oct. 11; Suspended superintendent files lawsuit

Vice President Kamala Harris will speak 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Sottile Theater at the College of Charleston as part of a national college tour to connect with younger voters before the 2024 election.

According to a college statement, “The tour focuses on key issues that disproportionately impact young people across America,” according to a release from the Office of the Vice President of the United States. The release states that the tour touches on issues from reproductive freedom and gun safety to climate action, voting rights, LGBTQ+ equality, mental health and book bans.” More coverage.

Meanwhile, Charleston County School District superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the district after being placed on administrative leave by the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees in September. The lawsuit states the district breached his contract, violated board policy and has violated the state Freedom of Information Act with an illegal meeting.

“CCSD has ignored its policies and attempted repeatedly to usurp the authority of Dr. Gallien in order to control personnel and function as the de facto superintendent of the district,” the lawsuit said.

Gallien, who joined the district three months ago, was placed on leave Sept. 25 after a 5-4 vote during a Board of Trustees meeting. No reason was offered other than an investigation was being pursued.

According to the lawsuit, Gallien told the board he intended to hire two administrators to be part of his administration, but was then told by the board chair that the individuals could not be hired. Gallien’s legal team argues his contract gives him the authority to hire and fire staff members without the consent of the school board directly.

The complaint also stated that “if and when” Gallien returns to work, a controversy will still exist between him and the five board members who — noted for being backed by conservative group Moms for Liberty — voted to put him on suspension.

In City Paper news today:

CP COVER: Coburg Cow’s caretaker relies on ‘gut feeling’ to make storm decisions. When Lowcountry skies darken and the wind starts picking up, plenty of newcomers are quick to start packing their bags. But for those in the know, nobody really moves before asking the most important question: “Is the cow still up?”

CP OPINION: Keep pressure on Charleston school board for transparency, openness, good governance. “Ever since the M4L Five took control of the school board after the 2022 elections, school governance has been in chaos. Public meetings are run poorly. Despite rhetoric, decisions about school curricula seem measured against a narrow political agenda, not what’s best for students. Controversy and leaks pockmarked the decision on hiring a new superintendent.”

CP CARTOON:

CP NEWS: Overdose deaths on the rise in Charleston, coroner says. Some 187 people in Charleston County died so far this year from drug overdoses — a 15% increase from the 162 people who fatally overdosed in the same time period last year, according to the Charleston County coroner.

CP NEWS: ‘Zombie drug’ xylazine leads to sharp rise in Charleston deaths. Since January, there have been 18 xylazine-related deaths, but the number may grow as results of pending investigations arrive. Charleston County is expected to reach — and possibly exceed — 2022’s number of overdose deaths.

CP NEWS: Powder Magazine searching for diverse colonial-era stories. The Powder Magazine Museum on Cumberland Street next year will present detailed stories of people other than literate White men who lived in the Charleston area during the American Revolution.

In other news:

Charleston-based tech company settles data breach for nearly $50M. S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Blackbaud would pay $49.5 million to states to settle allegations that the company violated state consumer protection laws, breach notification laws and privacy protections by not implementing reasonable data security.

Charleston funeral home site sells for $10M. Nine months after Fielding Home for Funerals announced a less-than-acre property at Logan and Magazine streets was on the market, the site changed hands Oct. 4, selling for more than $10 million to Charleston Day School.

Lowcountry lawmaker pushes for metal detectors in schools. S.C. Rep. Wendell Gilliard, D-Charleston, is pushing for weapons detectors in every public school across the Lowcountry.

Charleston Southern University welcomes new president. Charleston Southern University welcomed its new principal Keith Faulkner at the Lightsey Chapel Oct. 4.

Gibbes Museum boasts new outdoor public sculpture. Artist Fred Wilson was commissioned for an outdoor public sculpture called “Omniscience,” which is now on view in front of the museum. It was dedicated Sept. 29 with the artist present, along with various civic leaders and dignitaries.