MAGA MOMS FOR TAKING LIBERTIES BLOWING UP CHARLESTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
In a shocking turn of events, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) superintendent, Dr. Eric Gallien, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. The five trustees who voted for his suspension are all endorsed by Moms for Liberty, a right-wing group that opposes mask mandates, critical race theory, and LGBTQ+ rights in schools. It seems like these MAGA moms are taking their liberties a bit too far.
But let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The CCSD has been facing a number of issues, including the lack of transparency in the school board's decision-making process and concerns about the quality of leadership at the district's highest levels. And now, with the controversy surrounding Dr. Gallien, the debate over charter schools in the Charleston area has been reignited.
Some critics of the school board argue that they are more interested in promoting charter schools than in improving the quality of education in traditional public schools. But let's be real here, who wouldn't want to blow up the entire school system and start fresh? Okay, maybe not literally blow it up, but you get the idea.
In May 2023, the CCSD school board voted to hire Eric Gallien, a superintendent from Wisconsin, as the district's new superintendent. However, the decision was met with controversy, as two other finalists in the search had withdrawn their names from consideration after their names were leaked to the media. It seems like the CCSD can't keep anything confidential.
But back to those MAGA moms. They are accused of meeting illegally in a private session without proper notice or agenda. It's like they're trying to run their own little government within the school system. And let's not forget their opposition to mask mandates and critical race theory. It's almost like they want their kids to be uneducated and sick.
The decision to suspend Dr. Gallien has sparked outrage and confusion among some state lawmakers, community leaders, parents, teachers, and students. They are rallying in support of Dr. Gallien and questioning the motives and ethics of the board majority. But let's be real here, who knows what's really going on behind closed doors?
In the end, we can only hope for transparency and accountability from the school board. And maybe a little bit of humor to lighten the mood. After all, if we can't laugh at our problems, what can we do? So here's to those MAGA moms and their taking liberties - may they one day learn to take a joke.
Community hosts ‘vigil’ to rally behind Charleston Co. superintendent https://www.live5news.com/2023/09/27/community-hosts-vigil-rally-behind-charleston-co-superintendent/
‘We need answers’: Concerns raised over Charleston Co. school superintendent’s suspension https://www.live5news.com/2023/09/26/we-need-answers-concerns-raised-over-charleston-co-school-superintendents-suspension/
THE DEFT DIVE
FROM BARD AI
The Charleston County School District (CCSD) superintendent controversy began in early 2023, when the school board launched a search for a new superintendent. The search process was contentious from the start, with some board members and community members expressing concerns about the lack of transparency and community engagement.
In May 2023, the CCSD school board voted to hire Eric Gallien, a superintendent from Wisconsin, as the district's new superintendent. However, the decision was met with controversy, as two other finalists in the search had withdrawn their names from consideration after their names were leaked to the media.
Some board members and community members accused the school board of violating the confidentiality of the search process and of making a decision without sufficient community input. Others expressed concerns about Gallien's qualifications and experience.
In June 2023, the CCSD school board voted to place Gallien on paid administrative leave while the district investigates allegations of misconduct against him. The allegations have not been made public, but they have reportedly delayed Gallien's start date as superintendent.
The Charleston Co. superintendent controversy has highlighted a number of issues facing the CCSD, including the lack of transparency in the school board's decision-making process, the need for greater community engagement in the district's affairs, and concerns about the quality of leadership at the district's highest levels.
The controversy has also reignited the debate over charter schools in the Charleston area. Some critics of the school board argue that the board is more interested in promoting charter schools than in improving the quality of education in traditional public schools. They point to the fact that the school board's decision to hire Gallien came just months after the district approved a plan to expand charter schools in the Charleston area.
The Charleston Co. superintendent controversy is likely to continue to unfold in the coming weeks and months. The outcome of the investigation into Gallien's alleged misconduct will be closely watched by the community. The controversy is also likely to have an impact on the upcoming school board elections in November 2023.
FROM BING AI
The controversy surrounding the Charleston County School District (CCSD) superintendent, Dr. Eric Gallien.
Dr. Gallien was hired as the superintendent of CCSD in June 2023, after a unanimous vote by the board of trustees for a second interview⁷. He started his duties on July 1, 2023, and had a plan for his first 100 days to connect with the community and hear their feedback⁷. He also delivered a keynote speech at the Charleston Educator Symposium in August 2023, where he shared his vision and goals for the district⁷.
However, on September 26, 2023, the board of trustees voted 5-4 to place Dr. Gallien on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, without providing any details or reasons for their decision¹². The board also appointed Deputy Superintendent Anita Huggins to step in until the investigation concludes².
The five trustees who voted to put Dr. Gallien on leave are Carlotte Bailey, Edward Kelly, Keith Grybowski, Leah Whatley and chair Pamela McKinney. They are all endorsed by Moms for Liberty, a right-wing group that opposes mask mandates, critical race theory and LGBTQ+ rights in schools². They are also accused of meeting illegally two weeks ago in a private session without proper notice or agenda².
The four trustees who voted against the measure are Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson, Carol Tempel, Courtney Waters and Daron Lee Calhoun II. They expressed their frustration and disappointment with the decision, calling it "unacceptable" and "one of the most dysfunctional boards in the state of South Carolina right now"². They also said they were left in the dark about the investigation and demanded answers¹.
The decision to suspend Dr. Gallien has also sparked outrage and confusion among some state lawmakers, community leaders, parents, teachers and students, who rallied in support of Dr. Gallien outside the district office on September 27, 2023⁵. They praised Dr. Gallien's leadership and accomplishments in his short tenure, and questioned the motives and ethics of the board majority⁵. They also called for transparency and accountability from the board, and urged them to reinstate Dr. Gallien as soon as possible⁵.
State Representative JA Moore (D-Charleston) released a statement condemning the board's action as "a disgrace" and "a slap in the face to every student, parent, teacher and staff member in CCSD"⁶. He also said he would request an audit of the board's finances and operations by the State Department of Education⁶.
As of now, it is unclear what the investigation is about, how long it will take, and what the outcome will be. The board has not made any further comments or announcements about the situation. Dr. Gallien has not issued any public statements either. Many people are still waiting for answers and hoping for a resolution that is fair and respectful to Dr. Gallien and the CCSD community.
Bing, 9/27/2023
- (1) Superintendent / Superintendent - Charleston County School District. https://www.ccsdschools.com/Page/286.
- (2) ‘We need answers’: Concerns raised over Charleston Co. school ... - MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/we-need-answers-concerns-raised-over-charleston-co-school-superintendent-s-suspension/ar-AA1hiR84.
- (3) 9/26 NEWSBREAK: Charleston Co. school board puts new superintendent on .... https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2023/09/26/9-26-newsbreak-charleston-co-school-board-puts-new-superintendent-on-leave/.
- (4) CCSD superintendent placed on administrative leave: Community outraged, demands answers. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ccsd-superintendent-placed-on-administrative-leave-community-outraged-demands-answers/ar-AA1hj6TT.
- (5) Rep. JA Moore Releases Statement on the Charleston County School Board. https://holycitysinner.com/2023/09/26/rep-ja-moore-releases-statement-on-the-charleston-county-school-board/.
- (6) Former Racine Unified Superintendent Gallien on paid administrative .... https://racinecountyeye.com/2023/09/26/gallien-paid-leave-controversial/.
- (7) Gerrita Postlewait Hiring Controversy – Grand Strand Daily. https://www.grandstranddaily.com/gerrita-postlewait-named-superintendent-in-charleston-county/.
