New School Year, New Leadership: Four Principals Announced in Beaufort County School District
In recent developments, the Beaufort County School District has declared an exciting shuffle in their leadership chairs. Four of their best hands have been given new responsibilities as principals for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Frank Rodriguez, who was behind the move, is clearly stoked about this. He says, “Every exceptional district has strong school leaders, and I’m excited to see these superb educators be successful in their new roles.”
Jamie Allen: From Whale Branch Middle School to Broad River Elementary School
Jamie Allen, who had previously headed Whale Branch Middle School, will now be leading Broad River Elementary School. Allen’s got a tight bond with Broad River Elementary as she kicked off her career there as a third-grade teacher back in 2006, and since then, she has served in various roles. She’s a proud alum of the University of South Carolina Beaufort, and she also holds degrees from Lesley University and Capella University.
Brantley Wilson: Taking the Reins at Whale Branch Middle School
Filling Allen’s shoes at the Whale Branch Middle School will be none other than Brantley Wilson. Wilson’s got a rich backdrop in education and held various roles in Beaufort Jasper Academy for Career Excellence in Ridgeland before moving on to Hilton Head Island Middle School and Lady’s Island Middle School. He’s a fellow USCB alum and also wields a master’s degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education.
Sonji Leach: Left Beaufort High School for Whale Branch Early College High School
Sonji Leach, previously the assistant principal at Beaufort High School is going to take charge at Whale Branch Early College High School. She’s got a bunch of heavyweight experience in her bag, having served as a principal back in Swainsboro High School and Southwest Middle School in Georgia, and interim principal at Alfred Ely Beach High School in Savannah and Beaufort High School. Leach holds several degrees including a doctorate, from institutions such as Argosy University in Atlanta, Lincoln Memorial University and Georgia Southern University.
Keith Stewart: From Assistant Principal to Principal at Bluffton Middle School
Keith Stewart will be heading Bluffton Middle School, right after having served as the assistant principal there. He made his initial mark in education as a physical education teacher at Manning High School and later moved on to Whale Branch Elementary School, H.E. McCracken Middle School and May River High School in Beaufort County. Stewart comes buoyed with a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina.
The district made sure the selection process was thorough, with several stakeholders contributing to the decisions. Committees comprising of teacher leaders, School Improvement Council members, the Chief Human Resources Officer, various representatives and student leaders in case of high school principals, interviewed the candidates. After several rounds of interviews, the candidates’ ratings were submitted to Superintendent Frank Rodriguez, who put together the final list for the Board of Education.
