Name: Charleston mayor calls for increased transparency from CCSD amidst 'crisis of confidence'
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Charleston mayor calls for increased transparency from CCSD amidst 'crisis of confidence'

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34568c8bae0bc3439f9c06a73eea0ec3bbce854bab60ebfa8e30d47c71d2cfcc6829c17a90be664cby Ian KayanjaTue, October 3rd 2023, 7:13 PM UTCMayor John Tecklenburg, City of Charleston (File, WCIV)City of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg is calling for more transparency from the Charleston County School District in the wake of recent decisions that have led to a "crisis of confidence" from the district's constituents. In a statement released Tuesday, Tecklenburg asked the board to hold a public meeting to explain the decisions to place Superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien on paid administrative leave, the refusal to appoint Michelle Simmons as the chief academic officer, and the dismissal of members from the district's Health Advisory Committee.Read more: CCSD board members address 'unconscionable' suspension of superintendent at Monday press conference."Taken together, these actions, and the lack of basic transparency surrounding them, have created a crisis of confidence among our principals, teachers, parents, taxpayers, and state legislators, at least two of whom have now called for formal investigations on a bipartisan basis," Tecklenburg said in a statement. "I'm respectfully calling on the CCSD Board of Trustees to schedule an immediate public meeting, where they can explain and debate these actions in open session and begin working together to restore confidence in the board and its decision-making."Tecklenburg's statement comes after a heated press conference held by the four members of the CCSD's Board of Trustees, who voted against the recent actions the board has taken. The four board members at the press conference called for the reinstation of Gallien, the hiring of Simmons, and the reinstation of the Health Advisory Committee's members who were ousted from their positions. Read more: CCSD board member calls racism in the district 'the new civil rights movement,' in community meeting.In the portion of the press conference that allowed for questions, open discussions took place regarding the prominence of Moms for Liberty's influence in school and local politics. Following the press conference, Representative Wendell Gilliard sent a letter to the state Attorney General Alan Wilson, imploring him to investigate whether the Moms for Liberty faction violated any state laws. Gilliard also asked him to take action to protect the superintendent, students, and staff from "further harassment and intimidation."“South Carolina law is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting individuals from politically and racially motivated attacks, and it is essential that these protections extend to all citizens, including those who serve within our educational institutions,” the letter, dated Oct. 2, reads. “... I respectfully request that your office investigate this matter thoroughly and impartially to determine whether any violations of the law have occurred. It is imperative that we ascertain whether these attacks have violated any laws and are indeed racially motivated.”Read more: Elementary principals voice 'dismay' over recent decisions made by CCSD board.Gilliard also sent a letter to Ellen Weaver, the superintendent of education in South Carolina, asking Weaver to look into the actions of the board as well. On Monday night, at a community meeting in North Charleston, one CCSD board member described the struggle against the actions of the majority on the board as the "new Civil Rights movement." "We are in it," Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson added. "We are not going to faint. We are not going to get weary."Now Charleston's mayor is also imploring the board for transparency regarding decision-making moving forward. “More than 220 years ago, when Charleston and the nation were still young, President George Washington warned in his farewell address of the dangers of factions, and of the unique threat they represent to our form of government. In recent days, we have seen those dangers play out on our county school board," Tecklenburg wrote in a statement. "I believe it's time for everyone involved to step back, remember that we serve all our citizens, and begin mending the broken bonds of trust between our school board and the citizens, parents, and students it serves.”Read more: CCSD principals pen letter of disappointment to school board.Loading ...

34568c8bae0bc3439f9c06a73eea0ec3bbce854bab60ebfa8e30d47c71d2cfcc6829c17a90be664cby Ian KayanjaTue, October 3rd 2023, 7:13 PM UTCMayor John Tecklenburg, City of Charleston (File, WCIV)City of Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg is calling for more transparency from the Charleston County School District in the wake of recent decisions that have led to a "crisis of confidence" from the district's constituents. In a statement released Tuesday, Tecklenburg asked the board to hold a public meeting to explain the decisions to place Superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien on paid administrative leave, the...

Charleston mayor calls for increased transparency from CCSD amidst 'crisis of confidence'

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