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Faith and community leaders press board to reverse District 8 Foundation decision, accuse board of unequal representation
Summary
Faith leaders, the NAACP and multiple community speakers urged the Charleston County School District board to reconsider its denial of a District 8 nominee to the district education foundation, saying the decision lacked transparency and raised racial‑equity concerns; superintendent Nita Huggins denied any intent to disparage faith leaders and asked for dialogue.
Dozens of community members urged the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees on March 23 to reconsider its recent handling of a District 8 nomination to the CCSD Education Foundation, saying the choice excluded local representation and reflected unequal treatment.
Dorothy Jenkins, president of the NAACP Charleston branch, told trustees that the branch "stands behind" the District 8 nominee and asked the board to reconsider the appointment and provide representation on the finance committee. "We would like to have representation on the finance committee," Jenkins said during the public‑comment period.
Multiple faith leaders echoed that appeal. Libby Tisdale said the community had been "outraged" at the denial and asked for public explanation and accountability. Reverend Rebecca Hines directly framed the denial as a racial‑equity issue: "The only reason we can see why this man was not approved is because he's Black," Hines said, adding that the community "will not tolerate racism." Several speakers asked the board to affirm a District 8 nominee and to apologize for statements they said characterized faith leaders as disruptive.
Superintendent Nita Huggins responded in open session, saying the district did not intend to disparage or target Sea Islands faith leaders. Huggins said the Education Foundation representative from District 7 is "not Caucasian" and that there was no intent to characterize gatherings of faith leaders as nefarious. She asked the community for continued partnership and clarified that the district respects the right of individuals and groups to gather, pray and advocate.
Board members did not take an immediate vote on any reconsideration at the meeting. Community speakers asked for explicit next steps: a public explanation of why the District 8 nominee was denied, reconsideration of the appointment, and greater transparency about the foundation's selection process.
What happens next: The superintendent said staff would follow up with additional information; community leaders said they will continue to press the board and said they expect a public apology and reconsideration if the explanation is unsatisfactory.
