Catawba Ridge High School has its new principal. It’s someone the school knows well

Catawba Ridge High School has its new principal.

Barry Ledford is the pick, moving from the assistant principal role at the same school. Ledford replaces Darren Wilson who left for an administrative role with the Rock Hill School District. Ledford is the third principal at Catawba Ridge, which opened in 2019.

The Fort Mill School District board approved Ledford as the new principal on Tuesday. Ledford is a North Greenville University and Liberty University graduate with eight years experience in education. Ledford has a focus on counseling. His career began in Horry County and also includes time as school counseling director at Fort Mill High School.

Ledford is a prior school level teacher of the year and district honor role teacher at Fort Mill High.

Superintendent Chuck Epps said in an announcement Thursday there’s excitement with Ledford’s promotion.

“I believe his background experience serving students as a counselor and his familiarity with the Catawba Ridge culture, students and staff in his current role will ensure the school’s continued success,” Epps said.

This is where Rock Hill region high schools rank in most recent end of course testing

The Fort Mill district also tabbed Paul Buchanan as the new assistant superintendent for human resources and educator effectiveness. Buchanan replaces the retired Liza Stouffer.

Buchanan is a graduate of Colorado State University with almost a dozen years in human resources experience. Corporate roles include positions at Adidas, Affinity Health Center and HMSHost.

”His experience in the corporate human resources field will benefit our district in the highly competitive school staffing districts now face,” Epps said. “We are looking forward to the new ideas and strategies he can bring to our district.”