Strong community engagement at CCSD’s Conversation with Peninsula Families & Advocates

Strong Community Engagement at CCSD’s Conversation with Peninsula Families & Advocates

More than 200 parents, students, educators, community members, and partners attended last night’s Peninsula Community Conversation with Charleston County School District (CCSD) Superintendent Anita Huggins. The turnout reflects the deep commitment of families and residents to a strong future for the public schools in downtown Charleston.

Superintendent Huggins facilitated the conversation, guiding participants through discussions and polling activities to generate ideas and priorities for the future of Peninsula schools. District staff will now begin compiling all feedback to help shape recommendations for the 2026–2027 school year. One clear area of consensus emerged: universal Pre-K on the Peninsula will serve families well. CCSD will begin working to launch universal Pre-K as a central component of its long-term vision, beginning on the Peninsula. Participants also elevated a range of ideas for strengthening elementary, middle, and high school experiences, including, but not limited to:

• Expanded academic offerings;
• Restoring vocational trades and career-readiness pathways; Growth in arts and music programming;
• Enhanced partnerships with higher education institutions;
• Increased mental health and behavioral health supports; and
• Renovated/reenvisioned space for middle schoolers.

Superintendent Huggins thanked local leaders for attending and engaging during the event, including dozens of Burke High School Alumni; Racial Justice/National Action Network’s Elder James Johnson and Beverly Birch-Gadsden; Charleston Area Justice Ministry’s Dr. Elise McFarland; Charleston City Councilmen Ben D’Allesandro and Aaron Polkey; NAACP’s Dorothy Jenkins; and Charleston County Education Association’s Apostle Willette Scott Ash. During the event, Huggins also shared sentiments from Representative Wendell Gilliard, who had spoken with her prior to the event and expressed his thanks for prioritizing the needs of Peninsula families.

“I am deeply grateful for the honesty, passion, and energy our community brought to this conversation,” said Superintendent Huggins. “Their voices are shaping an exciting new chapter for Peninsula schools, one that honors the history of this community while building the high-quality opportunities our children deserve. I appreciate the trust and partnership of the community as we take these next steps together.”

Next Community Conversation

CCSD invites all families and community members to continue this dialogue at the next Peninsula Community Conversation:

January 14, 2026
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Burke High School, 244 President St, Charleston

Unable to Attend? Share Your Voice Online

Those who cannot join in person are encouraged to share their ideas through the community survey.