12/12 NEWSBREAK: Charleston school board appoints new chief academic officer

The Charleston County School District’s Board of Trustees on Monday appointed Michelle Simmons as the district’s new chief academic officer after weeks of community pushback. Simmons has served as the interim chief academic officer since July 2022. Prior to taking the leadership position, she worked for the district as a teacher and principal for two decades.

Monday’s 5-3 decision comes after two months of pushback from the community when the board denied her the role in a controversial Sept. 25 meeting. Former Superintendent Eric Gallien said in a lawsuit he filed against the district that he told then-board chair Pam McKinney that he wanted to make permanent the interim chief academic officer for Simmons.

Monday’s appointment of the position was discussed behind closed doors during an executive session, followed by public comments that showed overwhelming support for Simmons. The crowd erupted into applause after the decision was made.

However, new board chair Keith Grybowski attempted to amend the contract terms to be 1.5 years with a three-year renewable provision and the salary to stay at the current salary, stating Simmons had already served 1.5 years. The motion failed in a 3-6 vote, putting the contract negotiations out of the board’s hands.

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Charleston cruise ship to raise prices on internet browsing, food. Charleston-based Carnival Sunshine bumped up the prices last week for its Wi-fi plans, as well as the menu prices at two of its on-board specialty restaurants.

Eastside residents call for more police patrols. Some Eastside community members are pressing the Charleston police department for more patrols as they say the neighborhood is getting dangerous after a Friday night shooting.

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