Lancaster County School District announces new superintendent

The Lancaster County School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to select Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick as the next superintendent of the district.

The decision was made during a board meeting on Tuesday.

He will replace Jonathan Phipps, who is retiring.

Several Lancaster County parents said they are hoping to see a change in this school district with the newly selected superintendent.

“It’s time for something new,” said parent Robert Albert.

He said he’s happy that new leadership is coming to Lancaster County Schools.

Albert, who has three daughters in school, said he wants something done about overcrowded classrooms.

“My girls don’t get the one-on-one attention that they should,” Albert said. “So, we kind of have to supplement it at home or they have to go to tutoring and whatnot.”

Channel 9 asked Fitzpatrick how he would address overcrowding.

“We just need to make sure that we focus on the needs of the school with the growth in the district to ensure that we have the space for students to learn and to be successful,” Fitzpatrick told Channel 9.

He didn’t go into specifics but there’s more he’ll have to get up to speed on, including a proposed school bond referendum.

Albert said he wants more transparency regarding it.

“They need to state exactly what it’s going to do what it’s for, and address the growth, you know,” Albert said.

Fitzpatrick said he would defer the bond issue to the school board.

“I know that the school district and the board are working really hard on this particular issue,” he said.

Fitzpatrick will be the first Black superintendent since the district consolidated in 1962.

“It’s definitely an honor to be the first in anything that you do but you know, my focus is coming in working and helping the students and the district be successful,” he said.

Fitzpatrick will start as superintendent in January.

“The board had a difficult decision with five strong finalists. I am confident that Dr. Fitzpatrick will serve the Lancaster County School District well. We are excited to move forward to do what is best for the education of our students,” said Board Chair Brad Small.

School officials said Fitzpatrick currently serves as assistant to the superintendent and district ombudsman for Greenville County Schools. Prior to this, he served as the principal of Gaffney High School and Carver Middle School.

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He also served as an assistant principal at Spartanburg High School and Whitlock Jr. High School. He was a social studies teacher, as well as an assistant coach at Chesnee High School.

“I am excited to serve as superintendent in the Lancaster County School District. I look forward to helping build on the current success in Lancaster County schools while creating new opportunities for greater student achievement. We will fulfill the vision of “putting students first” by providing excellent experiences in academics, athletics, activities, and the arts. I invite all stakeholders to join me as we prepare our students for the future. I want to thank the school board for giving me the chance to lead in such a wonderful district,” Fitzpatrick said in a news release.

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