10/13 NEWSBREAK: Charleston Co. school board keeps Gallien on leave

Charleston County School District (CCSD) Superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien will remain on paid leave during an investigation into a district employee complaint, CCSD’s Board of Trustees decided in a special meeting Thursday morning.

Gallien was placed on paid administrative leave in September after an extensive closed-door executive session discussion.

The initial 5-4 vote on Sept. 25 to put Gallien on leave was said to be pending an investigation for which a basis was not provided at the time. The decision sparked backlash from the community and demands for an investigation into the board’s actions.

In Thursday’s meeting, the board voted along the same 5-4 lines to suspend him as they had last month. They also voted a second time on whether to hire an outside firm to investigate the employee’s complaint against him for allegedly creating a hostile work environment. The first vote was unanimous, but four of the board members reversed their decisions in the second round, arguing that the probe should be done in-house.

“We have a person at home that’s sitting at home being paid a lot of money because of an allegation,” said Darlene Roberson, who voted against Gallien’s leave and represents District Eight. “We have people sitting in positions that have pending investigations and lawsuits. What is the difference?”

Parliamentarian Liz Guthridge was on hand for the meeting and advised the board to vote on whether to postpone the decision to a later date, allowing more time for the district’s human resources department to respond to questions regarding the matter.

Ultimately, however, the same five Moms For Liberty-backed board members who voted to place Dr. Gallien on paid leave also voted against postponing the motion to the Oct. 23 board of trustees meeting, and the decision to keep Gallien on leave passed.

In City Paper news today:

CP OPINION: Mace, Dems didn’t do the nation any favors

“While a U.S. carrier strike group reportedly is headed to the region, at home in Washington, Congress had to sit on its hands — not able to do anything for our greatest ally in the Middle East — because there was no speaker. Bottom line: Short-term drama put the nation at risk. Shame on Congress.”

CP CARTOON:

CP FEATURE: The money behind the Charleston school board. It didn’t cost that much for conservatives to take over the Charleston County school board, as donations to the five candidates in the freshly elected Moms For Liberty-backed majority raised $127,444.94, according to an analysis of campaign disclosure reports on file with the S.C. State Ethics Commission.

CP NEWS: North Charleston mayoral candidates focus on safety, jobs, housing. This year’s packed field of 10 candidates led to discussions from public safety and overdevelopment to LGBTQ+ issues and pedestrian access. It will be the first time in nearly three decades that Mayor Keith Summey won’t appear on the ballot.

CP NEWS: Analysis shows tourism shift in Charleston. Charleston has about the same number of visitors compared to four years ago, but they’re spending much more due to several factors, according to a recent analysis.

CP FOOD: Renovated Satellite Bar hopes to attract new patrons. The renovation of Stars’ rooftop bar, completed this summer, brings new decor, an updated drinks menu and hopefully, a new audience.

In other recent news:

Charleston restaurants expand hours while others across the U.S. trim theirs. Across the country, some big-city restaurants are paring back hours to create a more sustainable schedule that could help draw wary veteran workers back to the business, The New York Times reported in August. But in Charleston, hours are expanding across the board at many of the city’s restaurants.

Charleston sees major jump in firefighter applicants. Charleston Chief Fire Marshal Mike Julazadeh credits the over 600 applications to their boosted community outreach and engagement, but only a small percentage of those applicants will actually make it to the academy.

6 Charleston Co. school libraries receive library grants. Chicora Elementary School, Deer Park Middle School, Hunley Park Elementary School, Military Magnet Academy, North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School and Sanders Clyde Elementary School were among 300 schools nationwide to receive funding from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries.

North Charleston nearing completion of fishing pier and boardwalk at Riverfront Park. Visitors at Riverfront Park will soon be able to enjoy fishing, boating and activities at the new fishing pier and boardwalk. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said The Noisette Creek Pedestrian Bridge was the first step to revitalize the area to make it a better place that brings the community together.

Goose Creek looking for resident feedback on walking, biking infrastructure. The city of Goose Creek is releasing a survey that will allow residents to share their thoughts on the city’s current infrastructure and what they think is needed to ensure safety and accessibility for all.

Summerville’s new ordinance could ban panhandling, solicitations. A proposed ordinance to ban panhandling and solicitations in Summerville was brought to the attention of the town council when travelers started expressing their concerns about the safety of drivers and pedestrians.