School board picks new leader

The new chair of the Charleston County School Board says she supports schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley, but she won't say whether she would vote in favor of extending McGinley's contract.

Ruth Jordan won six of the nine board members' votes without answering that question, although she promised to be fair and said she hadn't made a deal to get rid of McGinley.

Jordan, who's been among the superintendent's advocates, was endorsed by those who are more critical of the superintendent -- Elizabeth Kandrac, Arthur Ravenel Jr. and Ray Toler -- as well as Chris Collins and Gregg Meyers, who are counted among McGinley's supporters.

Monday night's vote may have signalled the beginning of discussions about the superintendent's job security. McGinley's contract expires in 2012, and she's slated to be evaluated

by the board within a month. McGinley was out of town at a conference about replicating the Harlem Children's Zone in Charleston.

The election of the board's chair is typically a quick vote without discussion. But before the vote, Meyers asked those running for the leadership role to say whether they would support a contract extension for McGinley.

He said the district has seen progress under her leadership, and he wants to see that improvement continue. He said he felt concerned about the message that would be sent to the superintendent and the community if the new chairperson didn't want the superintendent to remain in her post.

"We are positioned for the first time in the history of the district to have some administrative continuity," Meyers said.

Before Jordan or Chris Fraser could answer Meyers' question, board members who ultimately would support Jordan chimed in about what they thought of the request.

Collins, who nominated Jordan, said although continuity in leadership is preferable, that doesn't always happen. The superintendent's record should be the reason she's able to stay in her position, regardless of who's chair, he said.

Kandrac said board members, according to policy, aren't supposed to discuss how they will vote before an issue. She said the national average for a superintendent's tenure was between three and five years, and the board's chairperson doesn't necessarily need to support the superintendent.

Ravenel said it was unfair to make the election about McGinley.

Fraser and Jordan then responded to Meyers' concern. Fraser -- who received votes from former Chairwoman Toya Green, Ann Oplinger and Meyers -- gave a succinct answer, saying his goal would be to not only lengthen the superintendent's tenure but also do everything possible to ensure her success.

Jordan's answer was longer and failed to include how she'd vote on a contract extension. She said after the meeting that the superintendent's evaluation was coming up, and she'll address the issue at that time.

"I do not think that this is about the superintendent," she told the board. "Frankly, I was appalled that it would come down to the mandate about the superintendent. I thought it was about the children. ... If we're truly committed to public education, we're going to do what's right for children."

The board voted on Fraser's nomination first, which failed, and then on Jordan's. Meyers voted for Jordan after voting for Fraser because Jordan said she'd be fair and that she hadn't made a deal to get the chair position by promising to oust the superintendent.

"We'll have to wait and see," Meyers said.

The board agreed 6-3 to elect Toler as vice chairman. Those opposed included Green, Meyers and Oplinger.

Reach Diette Courrégé at 937-5546 or dcourrege@postandcourier.com.