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CCSD Supt. sounds off on goals, equity

CommunityChamberEducation

Moultrie News 4/24/25

As the Charleston County School District (CCSD) is celebrating its success in keeping classrooms filled this year, the local education entity is also keeping tabs on students who have traditionally been left behind.

All eyes were on CCSD Superintendent Anita Huggins at the April 23 Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, as the district leader began by zeroing in on one of her three goals (literacy, algebra readiness and college/career readiness).

"We have a goal around literacy that all kids will be reading on grade level by the time they leave elementary school," said Huggins.

Off that premise, she detailed how a sub-goal has been implemented to ensure that Black and brown kids are reading at grade level by the time they leave the system.

The initiative, known as Vision 2027, has elevated students of color from the 25 percent rate they once represented to to 62.2 percent in 2023-24. By June 2027, the guest speaker noted, the bar will be raised with the expectation that all students read at grade level by fifth grade.

The one-time English teacher further highlighted how equity will help increase the number of literate individuals in society, with benefits that extend into adulthood.

"I am very committed to equity and ensuring that all kids have what they need. Because, really folks, that's the only way our society can advance in the system, is if we graduate all people who are literate and can [achieve], right? Our prison numbers will decrease, our employment increases," Huggins observed.

In one of her PowerPoint slides, Huggins showed how Black and brown elementary scholars have made strides in reading performance over the last four years. Specifically, she pointed to a surge in the number of students who meet requirements from 16.9 percent in 2021 to 31.9 percent in 2024. Similarly, children of color who exceeded reading requirements rose from 11 percent in 2021 to 18.6 percent in 2024.

For the first time in decades, stated the married mother of three, the district is closing the gap between children of color and their White peers.
 

Leveling the playing field, she noted however, doesn't entail dumbing down of curriculum, as the focus will continue to be on rigorous instruction. Challenging students to think critically, she said, is paramount for the school board and district.

"Dumbing down the curriculum never helps. Children have to be taught on grade level — regardless of where they are," continued Huggins. "They have to be challenged. We've implemented this way to student funding."

On that note, the CCSD spokesperson mentioned that $850,000 was sent to Wando High School to help support pupils in poverty, special needs kids and those acquiring English as a second language.

On the subject of Wando High School, Huggins stated that more youngsters are living in poverty in the Mount Pleasant-based facility compared with some other district venues, including St. John's High School on Johns Island.

Going forward, she communicated in her wrap-up, the district will look to continue leading the state in providing their teachers with handsome salaries ($65,000 starting pay). When reflecting on the district school board, she conceded that they may be controversial on occasion, but affirmed their mission to doing what's best for local students.

"I don't have a lot of patience for adult issues, not in the system where we're dedicated to doing what's right for kids. So, know that while I serve at the seat, I'm committed to teaching kids how to build relationships to become more productive adults."

CCSD Supt. sounds off on goals, equity

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