10 candidates vying for seats on Charleston County school board

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)- Voters in Charleston County will have a chance to elect up to four new members to the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees in November.

10 candidates have filed to run for four open seats, and the election could reshape what has been characterized as a dysfunctional board.

The board faced stark criticism last year from educators, parents, and elected officials over a string of controversial decisions that left some urging the board to put politics aside and refocus on educating students.

The decisions included putting former Superintendent Dr. Eric Gallien on paid administrative leave , replacing six members of the Health Advisory Committee, and not hiring the interim chief academic officer, Michelle Simmons. Simmons was eventually appointed to the role in late 2023.

Those were approved by the board’s five-member majority faction, backed by the conservative group Moms For Liberty.

Two of the four members of the board’s minority faction – Daren Lee Calhoun II (District 6) and
Darlene Dunmeyer-Roberson (District 8) – are seeking reelection. Courtney Waters, who represents District 4, opted not to run again.

Which seats are up for grabs?

In 2022, voters picked trustees for all nine seats following a decision by state legislators that switched the election to single-member districts so that trustees are now elected only by voters who live in their district.

Members for odd-numbered districts were elected to four-year terms, while members for even-numbered districts were elected to two-year terms.

That means Districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 are up this cycle.

In addition to Calhoun and Dunmeyer-Robinson, Ed Kelley is also seeking reelection representing District 2.

What areas make up each district?

District 2: Portions of Mount Pleasant

District 4: Portions of North Charleston and downtown Charleston

District 6: Portions of West Ashley

District 8: Edisto Island, Hollywood, Johns Island, Ravenel, Wadmalaw, and portions of James Island)

Who are the candidates?

*Denotes incumbent

The Charleston County school board election is nonpartisan.

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