Board denies two expulsion appeals, approves personnel slate and several principal appointments
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Summary
Following executive session, the Berkeley County School Board denied two student expulsion appeals and ultimately denied a third after two motions; the board also accepted personnel recommendations and approved multiple principal contracts effective Feb. 18, 2026.
The Berkeley County Board of Education resolved several executive‑session matters at its Feb. 17 meeting, denying two student expulsion appeals and, after an initial failed motion to grant one appeal, denying the third; it also accepted a slate of personnel recommendations and approved several principal appointments.
On student discipline, the board voted to deny the appeals for Student #1 and Student #2 on motions recorded in open session; those motions carried by voice vote. For Student #3 the board first failed to pass a motion to grant the appeal and place the student at the Next Step Learning Center (that motion failed 3–5). The board then approved a motion to deny the appeal (vote recorded 7–1).
Regarding personnel, the board voted to accept the administration’s personnel recommendations as discussed in executive session. The body then approved multiple principal appointments, each with contract start dates stated in the meeting: • Cynthia Bice — named principal of Caine Hoy Elementary School, contract to begin 02/18/2026. • Kristen Rogers — named principal of Hanahan Elementary School, contract to begin 02/18/2026. • Jessica White — named principal of Sangre Intermediate School, contract to begin 02/18/2026. • Dr. Chris Thurman — named principal (school name recorded in transcript as "Berkeley Bridal School"); contract to begin 02/18/2026 (school name in transcript appears garbled). • Dr. Lauren Canfield — named principal of Marrington Middle School; transcript lists contract start as 02/18/2020, which appears to be a typographical error and is recorded here as 02/18/2026 to match district timeline for other appointments. • Nicholas Snyder — named principal of Sangre Middle School, contract to begin 02/18/2026. • Dr. Ezra Cowan — named principal of Sedgefield Middle School, contract to begin 02/18/2026.
Board members offered congratulations to the appointees and the chair remarked that families are welcome to celebrate with newly named principals. The board did not provide additional public detail about the specifics of the executive‑session discussions that led to the personnel recommendations.
Next steps: appointed principals were told they may remain for the meeting; staff will process contracts and notify affected school communities.