Threats to McGinley's job alleged
Ravenel denies cursing, harassing superintendent; board members split on story
Five Charleston County School Board members say they were told that fellow board member Arthur Ravenel Jr. recently threatened the job of the superintendent at the district office.
Ravenel and two other board members present during the alleged incident say nothing like that happened.
However, a majority of the board confirmed for The Post and Courier that Schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley told them that Ravenel was in the district office when he told a district employee that he had gotten rid of one "bitch" and would get rid of another, referring to former schools Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson and McGinley.
Board Chairman Hillery Douglas and board members Toya Green, Ruth Jordan, Gregg Meyers and Brian Moody said at least one other employee overheard the remark and that Ravenel later threatened the superintendent's job in a face-to-face confrontation with her.
"As a female, I was offended and appalled," Jordan said.
"It's very unfortunate," Meyers said. "It should never happen, regardless of anyone's disagreements."
"As a board we should be operating in a professional manner, and this was a complete deviation from that," Green said.
As a result of the incident, board members say they instructed the policy committee to make changes to the board's code of conduct to make such behavior a breach of rules. A board member who violates the code could face public discipline.
Ravenel said he went to the district office with board member Ray Toler to check on whether the agreement for the Charleston Charter School for Math & Science to use the former Rivers Middle School building was on the board's meeting agenda. Board Vice Chairwoman Nancy Cook arrived at the office after Ravenel and Toler.
The issue had been pulled from previous board agendas, and when Ravenel saw that it hadn't been placed on the upcoming agenda, he said he got frustrated and "had a lot to say about it."
He thought officials were trying to harm the school by delaying approval of the agreement, he said, but he denied using profanity to refer to McGinley or to threaten her job.
Ravenel said it's hearsay for others to comment on the situation if they weren't in the office.
"I have no problem with (McGinley), and she has no problem with me," he said. "We've moved forward."
Toler and Cook confirmed Ravenel's account of the situation. Both said they hadn't heard Ravenel use foul language or threaten the superintendent's job.
Cook and Toler frequently vote with Ravenel on controversial issues.
"I don't believe he'd say that," Cook said. "It's not professional. He's a professional. He's about doing what's right for kids."
Some board members confirmed that Ravenel's comments were discussed during executive session at their next meeting.
The closed-door session ran so long that the regular meeting started an hour late.
Board member David Engelman said he didn't want to comment on the incident because he wasn't present, and he would not discuss what happened in executive session.
Ravenel, Toler and Cook also wouldn't comment on what was discussed in executive session.
McGinley said anything that needed to be resolved has been resolved in-house, and she wouldn't talk about the allegations.
"This to me is not anything that I care to comment on publicly," she said.
The employee Ravenel initially confronted about the superintendent did not want to comment.
Reach Diette Courrégé at dcourrege@postandcourier.com or 937-5546.
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Comments
carolinadude (anonymous) says...
I agree Thomas:
"sunshine is the best disinfectant"
May 23, 2008 at 4:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
THOMAS RAVENEL SAID ON SLED TRANSCRIPT:
"You know,I,I swear to God I don't have any problems"
http://media.thestate.com/smedia/2008...
http://media.thestate.com/smedia/2008...
May 23, 2008 at 5:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AMAZING (anonymous) says...
RAVENEL SAID ON SLED TRANSCRIPT:
"You know,I,I swear to God I don't have any problems"
http://media.thestate.com/smedia/2008...
http://media.thestate.com/smedia/2008...
May 23, 2008 at 5:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Yeah if its true his old ass should step down.
May 23, 2008 at 6:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
karmann (anonymous) says...
As usual, politics rule over the education of students.
May 23, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
amberjack2362 (anonymous) says...
Him & Riley cant see or hear anymore like some old dog and need put to sleep.
May 23, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Neponset (anonymous) says...
With the problems in the Ravenel family, one would think Cousin Arthur would be more careful.
May 23, 2008 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
"It's very unfortunate," Meyers said. "It should never happen, regardless of anyone's disagreements."
This is too comical~ memories, e-mails, dirty laundry in the media ---> Englemann and Meyers
May 23, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
The employee Ravenel initially confronted about the superintendent did not want to comment.
History repeating itself for the CCSD and it's dirty laundry?
May 23, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BillytheKid (anonymous) says...
It is time to get Ravenel off the board. And adding Altman would be a large step backward! But this is South Carolina, we have our last place in almost everything to maintain.
May 23, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
watchdog (anonymous) says...
I agree with Thomas 1776, lets get the
Raid out and kill these cockroaches. The Ravenel's and the rest of his good ole boys are holding this state from progressing. We need too vote these guy out of office, and take control of our future in this state.
May 23, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tellthetruth (anonymous) says...
If Nasty Cook agrees with you Arthur then you better watch out. She might have you and your family living in her homeless vet shelter in N. Charleston, sucking you dry of all your money and cashing in on the federal goverment all at the same time. I would like to know how much she is paid to house each of these vets in this rathole. She is the poster child for how to fleece the goverment and get paid to do so. Just my opinion.
May 23, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skip7878 (anonymous) says...
How can we get that bridge renamed?
May 23, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCgal (anonymous) says...
Is it that McGinley is not doing the job, meeting the expectations needed for CCSD, and so this is the beginning of the end, only CCSD style?
May 23, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
skyguy51 (anonymous) says...
Sure am glad the founding fathers put that prohibition about granting titles of nobility in the Constitution. Cause we sure got a lot of politicians in this state who act like they are royalty and South Carolina is their private little fiefdom.
May 23, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Wow Arthur, say it aint so!
May 23, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeg111 (anonymous) says...
Dr. McGinley is working hard to turn the school system into something positive. I would never vote for ANYONE named Ravenel again. They have certainly shown their true colors in recent years. The new South of Broad white trash!!
May 23, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crankyyankee (anonymous) says...
I tend to agree with Arthur if Goodlowe wasn't a female dog I don't know who is!
May 23, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DCartisan (anonymous) says...
These are the finest people the South has to offer. Heck, we even name our greatest. most expensive bridges after them. Just waiting for the 15 years to pass and Thomas runs for Governor, wins & renames I-26 after himself. Guess we'll continue to do things bass ackwards in good ole' South Carolina...
May 23, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
I doubt if anyone out there does not believe that this actually happened. It's time to get old jacksasses like Ravenel out of positions of authority and relegate them to the past as the rest of us move on. Rename the bridge after the river it crosses instead of some divisive relic of a bygone era.
May 23, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nutz4seabrook (anonymous) says...
He is an old fool. The School District needs strong and consistent administrative leadership that is allowed to move the schools forward. Firing and hiring superintendents does nothing except demoralize an organization and keep it from improving.
May 23, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bigwhip (anonymous) says...
First, Thomas1776, you must have lived a sheltered life and your feelings get hurt oh so very easily. We need JGA on this board and we'll have two people telling it like it is. Check the history, JGA was asking the hard questions for years and was losing on 8-1/7-2 votes. The 8's & 7's took this board down and the progress.....well look at the history. The CCSD is a cash cow for many.
May 23, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
palmettobug (anonymous) says...
Ms. McGinley is sharpe as a tack. I have been very impressed with her expertise. Arthur on the other hand is a little nutty. (always has been)
May 23, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JohnS (anonymous) says...
Arthur has been known to slip up with words from time to time. In 2000 he said at a rally "The NAACP- National Assoc of Retarded people". Ravenal did say he was sorry to the mentally handicapped for putting them in the same sentence as the NAACP.
May 23, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
prosperous_hb (anonymous) says...
Was cousin Arthur using drugs before he made this comment...lol
With all seriousness, how can we expect our kids to act and do better if the public officials don't act in a certain way?
May 23, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ParkCircle4Ever (anonymous) says...
It takes time to see progress, we can cycle through superintendents just like they do principals, or we can give someone a chance and the time necesary to turn things around... I for one, would like to see McGinley stick around and do what needs to be done. If she has to be a bitch to do it then so be it. She seems committed to sticking this thing out and that's a lot more than we can say for the last few sup's. I hope the board supports her moving forward and that the community does the same. She has a strong vision for our children and so far has not let politics get in the way of that...
May 23, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jeg111 (anonymous) says...
There is nothing wrong with McGinley. She is just not a Charlestonian and can't be controlled by the "Good Ole Boys". Get with the times Cousin....They should rename the bridge.
May 23, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
Nancy should get out into the open and get on the Rocky D show to answer questions from host and callers.
May 23, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
suec (anonymous) says...
So exactly who DID hear him say it?
Either my reading comprhension is bad or PnC reporting is clear as mud.
Someone enlighten me please.
May 23, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mlittle212 (anonymous) says...
this is exactly why we need to stop naming roads, bridges, stadiums, road crossings, etc. after living people.
As a matter of fact, we out to stop naming stuff after people, living or dead, altogether.
May 23, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GG (anonymous) says...
A school board member should never act independently of the board. They do not have that kind of authority. This is one of the first tenets they are taught in their school board training sessions.
But did anyone really think that Ravenel would follow the rules?
He is a part of that Charleston elitist group who truly believe that the rules do not apply to them.
Because they have been born into a long line of Charleston elitist families like Ravenel, Riley, Stoney, etc., they think they can live above the law and look down on anyone not a so-called "blue-blood."
But I believe a change is coming! Too many people now are beginning to realize these old names don't equal good character. The Ravenels have been a large part of that awareness lately, wouldn't you say?.
May 23, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
winter23 (anonymous) says...
Amen GG!!
May 23, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
Nancy Cook is a little too obese to be "exposed".
I think I'll pass on that one.
May 23, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
geekguy2008 (anonymous) says...
ROFL @ early
May 23, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Interesting how the claims of 'he said it, he didn't say it' break down along political lines. So, if the ones claiming he called McGinley a b**ch are to be believed, then Cook, Toler, and Ravenel are all liars? Or do some have an axe to grind? I don't doubt a testy exchange took place, but I'm not convinced that there isn't some exaggeration going on.
May 23, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
candygirl (anonymous) says...
Thomas1776 ***** You are so right about John Altmans house,the worst looking house on Folly Rd.,he needs to take that money he will use to campaign with and fix that rat trap.
Arthur is a old anal, who has way of showing his true self.
May 23, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
newbattleaxe (anonymous) says...
Is this breaking down along political lines, or along beenya/comeya lines?
May 23, 2008 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
If you can't beat them, tell a lie about them.
May 23, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
carolinadude (anonymous) says...
Good evening friends,
Cousin Arthur and I don't see "eye to eye" on everything but please go back and read his reason for being at the district on this given day. Apparently the conservatives on the board are being "stonewalled" on a very critical educational issue facing all of SC. We now have a statewide "charter school district law" on the books, and we see it as critical to moving quality education forward in SC. Yet the educrats and administrators see it as a threat to the failed status quo government school system in our state in much the same venomous manner of opposition that Governor Sanford's school choice initiatives were squelched. In this case Arthur is "standing up to this brick wall of status quo opposition" with the vigor and emotion of an 1861 South Carolina rebel. May God Bless you "Cousin Arthur" for standing upon the rock of principle in which you believe. May it ever be "principle over politics", Cousin Arthur. Help is on the way with John Graham, and we'll just follow the lead of two of the finest patriots that SC has ever known. Onward Cousin!!!
Ron Turner
Summerville, SC
May 23, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RLS (anonymous) says...
The Ravenel's, Arthur & son, embarrass all who voted for them.
I have completey lost my faith and confidence in thier ability to be in office.
May 23, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNN_10 (anonymous) says...
This is why the school system is so bad because of people like Arthur Ravenel and John Graham Altman. It is time for Ravenel to step down and also have a new school board where individuals will make a difference instead of these idiots who are bring down the school board.
May 23, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MooMoo (anonymous) says...
Carolinadude - you hit the nail on the head!
May 23, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
counselor31 (anonymous) says...
Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson and Dr. Nancy McGuinley were an excellent team together. The Charleston County School District is in much better shape than before. As with any school improvement plan, it takes 3 to five years to see change. Charleston County's school board really needs to afford Dr. McGuinley the opportunity to do her job. Dr. Goodloe-Johnson was not given that opportunity, and she left. Previous superintendents were treated in a similar manner and left. The sad thing is that the school board had to pay out their contracts. What a terrible way to waste taxpayers' money!
May 24, 2008 at 6:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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