More than half of the seats that make up the Charleston County school board are up for election this year, four of which are currently held by trustees who were backed by right-wing advocacy group Moms for Liberty in 2022.
Candidate filing closes on Aug. 17. As of noon Aug. 5, 13 candidates filed, including all five incumbents. Candidates include:
- District 1 (East Cooper): Char Fitzater and Keith Grybowski (incumbent).
- District 3 (downtown Charleston): Joseph Bennett, Stuart Day, Pam McKinney (incumbent), Bethany Nemitz and Tressa Pankovits.
- District 5 (North Charleston): Carlotte Bailey (incumbent) and Libby Tisdale.
- District 7 (West Ashley): Joy Brown and Leah Whatley (incumbent).
- District 9 (James Island): Carol Tempel.
McKinney, who serves as chair, told the Charleston City Paper she is not seeking re-election, despite having previously filed for candidacy. Tempel was not backed by Moms for Liberty in 2022.
“My husband and I are moving,” McKinney told the Charleston City Paper. “Our new address puts us outside District 3, and I am 100% committed to finishing my term through November, so we’re staying put for now and then moving out to District 9. … The overlap would make it impossible [to run for that district].”
Bailey did not respond to requests for comment. Whatley was not available for an interview prior to publication. Both incumbents have active campaign websites.
Re-election reflections
In 2022, eight members of the nine-person board were new, with about half of them serving only two-year terms following a change required by state law. With only one incumbent survivor, the first year of the new board was marred by heavy politicization and poor communication with parents and each other. Votes also fell on faction lines, pushing what opponents called far-right agendas.
“It was a rough start,” Grybowski said. “Eight of us had no idea what we were doing, and until you’re on the board, you really don’t get it. You’re really so limited in what you can do. It’s a very defined responsibility.”
The first year also saw unannounced meetings that opponents asserted were illegal, allegations of incompetence, outcries from the LGBT community, calls for state intervention and school board meetings packed with dozens of angry attendees.
But recent years have felt calmer and less frenetic.
“That first year was very tough,” Grybowski said. “But it’s only getting better. Teacher appreciation is at the highest level. Parent appreciation is at the highest level.
Tempel and Grybowski pointed to the hiring of Superintendent Anita Huggins as the biggest accomplishment by the board since their elections in 2022.
McKinney, though she isn’t running, summarized the last four years as a team effort.
“There are nine trustees, and all of us only get one vote,” she explained. “It’s a joint effort, so I see these as board accomplishments.”
McKinney pointed to Huggins’ hiring, and her recent rating by the Charleston Teacher Alliance of 3.6 out of 4 — the highest of any superintendent the district has had. She also noted the board raised the starting teacher salary to $65,000 as examples of that team effort.
Grybowski said he was not seeking an endorsement from Moms for Liberty — or any political group for that matter — this year. He clarified he didn’t seek it in 2022, but admitted the politicization of the board was a big cause for a lot of the tension early in his term.
“They had a platform, and I agreed with some of it,” he said. “I didn’t agree with all of it, but I’m not going to go out and seek an endorsement. If you endorse me, great, but that’s your opinion. … This is nonpartisan, and I take that pretty seriously.”
Building momentum
Tempel listed several agenda items she wanted to continue pushing for in the future if elected, including higher teacher pay, universal pre-K across the district and increasing transparency when engaging with the public. Grybowski agreed, though he said a second term might be enough for him.
“I just want to continue to support Anita Huggins,” he said. “But eight years is enough for any school board member. You need fresh blood, but once you get started, you want that stability, and you need that relationship.”
Huggins said it was important for Charleston County residents to be involved in the school board election.
“The progress Charleston County has experienced reflects years of focused work by educators, families, community partners, district leadership and its Board of Trustees,” she told the City Paper in a statement. “While work remains, maintaining that momentum depends on thoughtful governance and a continued focus on what is working for students.
“School board elections are an important opportunity for citizens to participate in the future of public education. When board members work collaboratively with one another and with district leadership, keeping students at the center of every decision, we create the conditions for meaningful progress and improved outcomes for all of Charleston County’s children.”
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
