Charleston County School District’s (CCSD) acting superintendent Anita Huggins said in a Jan. 30 statement that she intends to accept the permanent superintendent role after the board of trustees voted 5-4 Jan. 22 to offer it to her.
“I intend to accept the superintendent of schools’ position,” she said in the statement. “Ultimately, I hope to earn the trust and support of all board members as I will need their assistance to keep our laser-like focus on what is best for children.”
Huggins said she would like to meet with each of nine board members in groups of three to share her priorities and answer any questions they have about her vision, experience and plans to support CCSD students.
In a Jan. 30 joint letter, mayors William Cogswell of Charleston, Reggie Burgess of North Charleston and Will Haynie of Mount Pleasant said they supported the appointment of Huggins as superintendent.
“The Charleston County School District has faced leadership challenges in the past decade affecting its effectiveness and public trust,” the letter reads. “Stability and a commitment to equity and excellence are needed.
“We are confident that under [Huggins’] leadership, our focus can now shift towards the positive transformation and improvement of our schools.”
The Jan. 22 decision surprised the board’s four-member minority, which thought it was going to develop a process to pick a new superintendent. Rather, board chair Keith Grybowski made a motion to offer Huggins the chance to negotiate a contract as permanent superintendent. He and four others — Leah Whatley, Pam McKinney, Ed Kelley and Carlotte Bailey — voted to accept the motion. In November 2021, they were backed by right-wing political group Moms for Liberty (M4L) during their election campaigns.
The four other board members who voted against the decision — Courtney Waters, Daron Lee Calhoun II, Darlene Roberson and Carol Tempel — previously said their issue was not with Huggins herself, but the hiring process, describing themselves as “blindsided” by the vote during the Jan. 22 meeting.
Allegations of systemic racism
The surprisingly quick decision on Huggins came without a national search after the M4L-backed majority voted last year to oust superintendent Eric Gallien, a Black man. They also made Michelle Simmons, a Black woman, go through a lengthy appointment process to become the district’s chief academic officer, despite having served in the role in an interim capacity.
Roberson and Waters, both also Black, said during the Jan. 22 meeting that the change in hiring process was an example of systemic racism. Huggins is white.
“I am not naive to the gravity of the public and board’s discussion surrounding my appointment,” Huggins said in the Jan. 30 statement. “In fact, quite the opposite is true. I take very seriously the community conversation about racism and the wider discussion about how our system can perpetuate distrust.”
Huggins said she has received offers of support and recommendations that she decline the position. She added the public scrutiny and controversy was not something she wanted, but that it would not change her mind about accepting the position.
“I know our school district; I know its challenges, and I know our potential,” she said in the statement. “My first priorities will be to provide stability and direction as well as to rebuild trust that has been compromised. I will be consistent and transparent about what I prioritize and how I work with others to make decisions.”
Huggins added her focus will be on the classroom and student outcomes.
“Simply put, our focus must be the classroom,” she said. “Student outcomes will improve when we have a highly qualified teacher in every classroom who is adequately supported and when we make our number one priority resourcing schools. It will be my expectation that every leader on our team communicates this same message and works to listen to, respond to, and support our great teachers and school-based leaders.”
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