Spartanburg County schools announce new principals for 2023-24. What to know
When Spartanburg County's seven school districts opened on Monday, there were 12 new principals welcoming students for the 2023-24 school year.
The county's seven school districts have more than 50,000 students, according to the South Carolina Department of Education.
Several districts are building new schools to help accommodate their growth. Last year, Spartanburg District 4 voters approved issuing bonds not exceeding $100 million for a new Woodruff High School.
The new high school will be located on Highway 146, less than a mile from the existing school. The new Woodruff High School plans to open in the fall of 2025.
District Five has one of the largest-scale construction projects in the county. In 2021, voters approved a $295 million bond referendum to expand and upgrade schools.
Spartanburg District One
Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary School
New Principal: Blake Neely
Where is he from?: In 2013, Neely began his academic career as a teacher for Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary. Neely later served as assistant principal in 2020 for Anderson Mill Elementary and returned to Holly Springs-Motlow Elementary in 2021 as assistant principal.
Education and Background: Neely has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Furman University and a master’s in Educational Administration from Converse College.
Spartanburg District Two
Shoally Creek Elementary School
New Principal: Johnny Rhode
Where is he from?: Rhode had served as assistant principal at E.P. Todd Elementary School. He previously served as a PE teacher, athletic director and a Second Language instructor.
Education and Background: Rhode has his bachelor’s degree from USC Upstate and received his master's and M.A. plus 30 degrees from Southern Wesleyan University.
Spartanburg District Four
Woodruff Elementary School
New Principal: Giada Parris
Where is she from?: Parris has served her entire career in District Four. She recently served as assistant principal for Woodruff Primary School for three years.
Education and Background: Parris received her bachelor of arts in Early Childhood Education from North Greenville University, master of arts in Early Childhood Education from Converse College and a master of education in Education Administration from Converse College.
Spartanburg District Five
Abner Creek Academy
New Principal: Melissa Fowler
Where is she from?: Fowler has served as assistant principal for Abner Creek since 2020. Prior to her position as assistant principal, Fowler was a Literacy Coach from 2014 through 2020, and a third-grade teacher from 2008 through 2014 at Abner Creek.
Education and Background: Fowler has her bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from Clemson University, master's in Elementary Education from Converse College and a master's in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.
Reidville Elementary School
New Principal: Meredith Rose
Where is she from?: Rose served as the principal of Jesse Boyd Elementary School in Spartanburg District Seven from 2013 through 2020. Prior to that, Rose served as assistant principal and Instructional Specialist at the school. She began her career in the classroom as a Special Education teacher for third through sixth-grade students at E.P. Todd Elementary.
Education and Background: Rose has a bachelor's in Special Education from Lander University, a master's in Elementary Education and Administration from Converse College and a doctorate in Organizational and School Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Beech Springs Intermediate School
New Principal: Ashley Williams
Where is she from?: Williams has served as assistant principal at D.R. Hill Middle School for the past five years. Prior to that position, Williams began her career as a social studies teacher at Dorman High School in Spartanburg District Six.
Education and Background: Williams has her bachelor's in Secondary Education from Clemson University, a master's in Education and Educational Specialist degree from Arkansas State University and a doctorate in Educational Administration from South Carolina State University.
D.R. Hill Middle School
New Principal: Allison Hepfner
Where is she from?: Hepfner recently served two years as principal at Lyman Elementary School. She previously served as principal of Doby's Mill Elementary School in Lugoff from 2018 through 2021.
Education and Background: Hepfner has a bachelor's in English from the University of South Carolina, master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton and a doctorate in Education from Liberty University.
Lyman Elementary School
New Principal: Jarette Pendergrass
Where is he from?: Pendergrass comes from Duncan Elementary School of the Arts, where he has served as the assistant principal. Prior to that, Pendergrass served as assistant principal at Buffalo Elementary School in Union and began teaching as a fifth-grade teacher at Killian Elementary School in Columbia.
Education and Background: Pendergrass has a bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina, and a master's in Divergent Learning from Columbia College and in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.
Wellford Academy
New Principal: E.J. Bringer
Where is he from?: Bringer has served as assistant principal at Wellford Academy for the past six years, and previously served as assistant principal of Pine Tree Hill Elementary in Camden. He began his education career as a third-grade teacher at Washington Street Elementary in Hartsville.
Education and Background: Bringer has a bachelor's in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, a master's in Elementary Education from Francis Marion and a master's in Educational Administration from the University of the Cumberlands.
Spartanburg District Six
Gable Middle School
New Principal: Maddie Jurek
Where is she from?: Jurek previously served as Gable Middle School's assistant principal for four years. She served as a chorus teacher at Dorman Freshman Campus and Dorman High School.
Education and Background: Jurek has her bachelor's in Choral Music Education from Converse College, a master's in Music Education from Boston University and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Clemson.
Dawkins Middle School
New Principal: Caleb Thrower
Where is he from?: Thrower recently served as assistant principal for Dawkins Middle School. Prior to his experience as assistant principal, Thrower taught sixth grade for eight years.
Education and Background: Thrower has a bachelor's in Elementary Education from USC Upstate. He also received a master’s in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University - Shreveport.
Spartanburg District Seven
McCracken Middle School
New Principal: Telena Woody
Where is she from?: Woody previously served as the assistant principal at Spartanburg High School and the assistant principal for Carver Middle School. Earlier on, she taught social studies and was the middle and high school curriculum coordinator for 10 years.
Education and Background: Woody has a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University. She received her master of education in Secondary Administration and Leadership and doctoral degrees in Leadership from Converse University.
Spartanburg High School
New Principal: Andrew McMillan
Where is he from?: McMillan previously served as principal at Chapman High School in Inman. He worked as Chapman's assistant principal for four years before being named principal in 2018. McMillian also served as assistant principal at Campobello-Gramling School.
Education and Background: McMillan has a bachelor's degree in History and Education from Newberry College. He received his master's in Education from Southern Wesleyan University and attended Converse College for his Educational Specialist degree. McMillan has a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from South Carolina State University.
Joanna Johnson covers community news for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com.
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg County schools have new principals this year. See who
