Charleston County School District’s new superintendent Eric Gallien on Thursday said he will focus on listening and learning about the community’s needs during his first 100 days on the job. He said he then will figure out next steps on how to approach the job. Thursday’s press event was his first since officially stepping into the role July 1.

“As superintendent, I will work tirelessly to provide the necessary resources, support and guidance to help each student reach their fullest potential,” he said. “I have no prescribed program that I’m bringing to the district. In my first 100 days, I plan to listen and learn from the community as you go out and find out what the challenges may be.”

Gallien also addressed the controversy behind his appointment and salary in his first news conference with the press. Gallien was approved by the Charleston County School Board of Trustees following a rocky search in which the two other finalists dropped out before either had visited the area. The board still proceeded to offer Gallien a $275,000-per-year contract with a 6-3 vote.

“There was no secret that there were some controversies throughout the search, but I am committed to this community,” he said.

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“Without good information from credible news sources, people may rely on information developed by dark, manipulative, even foreign, forces to make decisions at the polls. That’s not the American way. Business impacting our freedom must be done in the cleansing environment of sunshine.”

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In other City Paper headlines:

CP: Charleston Animal Society asks for more help from Charleston Co. The Charleston Animal Society, South Carolina’s first animal protection organization, sent a letter to Charleston County June 20, addressing poor financial support and communication about the matter.

CP: Charleston rent skyrocketed in recent years. Across the state, the average rent cost has gone up 30% since 2020, while Charleston rent has increased 33%, pricing many people out of desired areas to live.

CP: Charleston moving fast on workforce housing. More workforce housing projects are sprouting across the Lowcountry, providing some people the chance to rent in places they may not have been able to live in due to skyrocketing rent.

CP: Spiritual writer Lamott comes to Charleston. Best-selling novelist Anne Lamott will be in Charleston July 27 at the Charleston Gaillard Center to give a leading presentation at the Lowcountry Mental Health Conference.

In other news from around the state:

Biden touts $11 billion investment in S.C. in Thursday speech. During a visit to West Columbia on Thursday, President Joe Biden touted $11 billion of business investment in South Carolina that is bringing thousands of jobs to the state since he became president in 2021. He noted that Republican lawmakers criticize his policies, but many of their constituents are benefitting from billions in federal funding and new jobs.

Hurricane season forecast changes to above average activity. Researchers at Colorado State University have again amended their seasonal forecast for tropical cyclone activity, saying there will be above average activity in the Atlantic, estimating 18 named storms for the season.

S.C. Aquarium helped nearly 400 sea turtles. The South Carolina Aquarium’s Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery space has rehabilitated and released 385 sick or injured sea turtles recovered along the Atlantic Coast in the nearly five years since it opened.

Maritime union pushes for promised jobs. The International Longshoremen’s Association union continues to push for the Hugh Leatherman Terminal in North Charleston to be all-union jobs despite pushback from the port and the governor.

Virginia-based technology company to establish operations in Charleston Co.. Virginia-based science and technology firm Leidos said it plans to invest $31.7 million in a new security systems manufacturing site in North Charleston, the third of its type for the company in the U.S.

• To get dozens of South Carolina news stories every business day, contact the folks at SC Clips.

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