The Charleston County School District (CCSD) Board of Trustees on Friday unanimously approved a mutual settlement agreement to end Dr. Eric Gallien’s employment as superintendent. He started July 1. His deputy, Horry County native Anita Huggins, was named acting superintendent.
- Related coverage, 10/26/22: Who is Anita Huggins?
In today’s deal, approved 8-0 by trustees and signed off by Gallien, the educator will get more than $350,000. He’ll be paid 12 months of his annual salary of $275,000 in bimonthly installments, plus an extra $50,000 “non-wages.” The district also agreed to reimburse expenses from July to September and pay $34,000 in Gallien’s attorney fees. In return, Gallien agreed to dismiss his pending lawsuit against the district for breach of contract.
Friday’s decision wasn’t the first contentious end to a CCSD superintendent’s tenure. Gerita Postlewait abruptly resigned without much explanation at the end of 2021 after serving six years as head of the county’s consolidated school district. What’s more is the settlement with Gallien comes after controversy about his initial hiring and the rate of his $275,000 salary, which was a substantial increase.
Details of the settlement
The settlement came after an early Friday meeting of the board, including an executive session out of the public’s ears. It followed an investigation into Gallien’s behavior after a complaint by a CCSD employee who alleged “the superintendent’s actions led to a hostile work environment.”
An investigation, which the school district said would be made available to the public on Nov. 3, was conducted by local attorney Allan Holmes, who concluded there was no evidence to support the allegations. But the settlement did note that “Dr. Gallien has violated a clear, published directive established by the CCSD Board.” No explanation of what was violated was released.
But a news release said that after Gallien received a clear warning, he continued to violate the directive. Such behavior “improperly and significantly modified the terms and conditions of the complainant’s employment to her detriment,” according to the settlement.
Meanwhile, the settlement also said Gallien alleged his employment contract “superseded” his violation of the directive. As a result, Gallien filed a lawsuit on Oct. 5 against CCSD — which was still pending before Gallien agreed to drop it in the settlement.
The settlement also stated Galliend consented to “waive any notice requirement under the Employee Agreement.” The cause of his removal is listed under the Employment Agreement as “no reason.”
Finally, the district and Gallien essentially agreed to hold each other harmless in the settlement, agreeing that “neither payment nor any action taken pursuant to this agreement shall be considered or construed as an admission or establishment of wrongdoing on the part of either party.”
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No newspaper subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations from downtown to North Charleston to Johns Island to Summerville to Mount Pleasant.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.