In the most sweeping administrative changes in the Aiken County School District in many years, 11 schools will get new principals in July and a total of 20 assistant principals have been appointed for the first time or reassigned.
The Aiken County Board of Education approved the district administrators' recommendations at a special meeting Friday in what is certainly the most significant action since Dr. Beth Everitt became superintendent in January 2008.
Everitt did not make herself available for an interview following the meeting and did not return a phone call Friday night.
The board made one district-level appointment, naming Redcliffe Elementary School principal Sal Minolfo as the director of special education. He will succeed Pat Silva, a working retiree who, like five veteran principals, was not offered a new contract because of the district's budget deficits due to state cuts in funding.
Joanne Skillman, long-time principal at Warrenville Elementary School, will retire, district officials said.
The first-time principals and their schools are Allison Churm at Belvedere Elementary, Stephanie Hammond at Mossy Creek Elementary, Laurie Reese at North Augusta Elementary, John Murphy at Paul Knox Middle School, Michelle Padgett at Gloverville Elementary School, Brenda DeLoache at LBC Middle School, Mason Cummings at Ridge Spring-Monetta High and Julie Revelle at Redcliffe Elementary School.
Reassigned principals are as follows, with their former schools in parentheses: Russell Gunter (LBC), Byrd Elementary School; Brenda Smith (Paul Knox), Warrenville Elementary School and Rose Marshall (Mossy Creek), Busbee Elementary School.
In addition, current Busbee principal John Mills will become the Aiken Elementary School assistant principal.
The other assistant principals include both first-time administrators or those reassigned to new schools: Tyral Braxton, North Aiken Elementary; Kim Stokes, Oakwood-Windsor Elementary; Samantha Nobles, Aiken Middle School (full-time); Cindy Munschy, Aiken Middle School (part-time); Johnny Spears, Kennedy Middle School (part-time); Laura Bacon and Ute Aadland, Aiken High; Lori Jones, Belvedere; Trey Laube, Hammond Hill Elementary; Annie Boyce, Mossy Creek; Felecia Waters, North Augusta Elementary; Lloydette Young, Paul Knox; John Bradley, North Augusta High; Sherri McIver, Clearwater; Debra McCord, Gloverville; and Jefferson Elementary; Isaiah Mealing, Midland Valley High; Jay Torgesen, RS-M High; Kathy Freeman, Jackson Middle School; and Wayne Hardy, Greendale Elementary and New Ellenton Middle School.
"I credit the administration for taking a long, hard look at the vacancies based on the skills of the individual people," said Board Chair Dr. Christine Harkins. "I'm quite pleased with the choices that have been made."
At LBC, Russell Gunter spent nine years as a teacher, one year as assistant principal and is completing his 10th year as principal. He enjoyed his middle school experience, but his reassignment to Byrd fulfills a goal to work at an elementary school. His academic work focused on the elementary level.
"I'm looking forward to getting in there and working the faculty," Gunter said. "But it won't be easy leaving the LBC family I've been with for many years."
Allison Churm spent seven years as a Paul Knox Middle School assistant principal and then four in the same position at North Augusta Elementary. She worked with four principals - Rosie Berry, Gene Robbins, Brenda Smith and most recently, Dr. Angela Burkhalter.
At Belvedere, Churm will succeed Rod Greenway. He is one of the five retired but working principals not rehired by the district
"I had some of the best mentors," she said. "I'm really excited about this opportunity. Belvedere is a great school. It will be a challenge following Rod, who is so beloved there. It's sad we had to lose those educators the way we are, but we'll roll right along with what Rod has established at the school."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title: I Think
I think that Mr. Jay Torgesen would make a great assisstant principle, but I also think that he is too nice to be an assisstant principle.
Posted by: On: 3/25/2009
Comment Title:
I'm an outsider,but I feel that Mr. Mills was doing his job at Busbee . He did not have the full support of his faculty. Some of them were not team players. Some do not have the interest of the students at heart. I wish Mr. Mills the best. He will do a good job at Aiken El; however, he may find a school in another county where he will be appreciated.
Posted by: On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Things that make you go what??
Why would a change at Busbee make you go hmmmmm? If anything, you should JUMP for JOY at getting a change and getting rid of Mr Mills!!!!!! Changes are being made, whoopie doo, WE need a change so for those disagreeing with the change, find another school, find another job and move on! Cause thank God for the changes we are about to see in Wagener. Yay! Thank you school district
Posted by: Husband of a Busbee teacher On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Success of the teachers and kids
No matter what the situation in any school in Aiken County, we need to remember the children are the most important part. My wife is a teacher at Busbee, so moving forward, I hope that the focus of the new principal is the success of teachers and kids.
Posted by: On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Time for a Change at Busbee Elementary
I agree that it is time for a changes to be made at Busbee,starting with the attitudes of the faculty and staff and not with the reassignment of Mr. Mills. Mr. Mills has attempted over the years to make changes for the betterment of the school, but has met resistance at every turn by those who work at the school and from outside forces. Busbee has the potential to be a great school if everyone would strive to put aside petty differences a do whatever it takes to make sure every student reaches his or her potential. I wish Mr. Mills the best of luck in the future and I hope the new principal will be able to make changes without resentment and resistance!!
Posted by: On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Busbee Parents and discipline
No matter how many invitations are sent to Parents only 10 to 15% will show up to any meeting at school. Unless you promise them food or prizes then the whole family will show up for the freebies! That's not something schools can afford or should do, ever. Budget cuts have caused a lot of parent meetings to be cut, again, because Parents in the Wagener area have to be given an incentive to show up for meetings after school. They won't show up to take responsibility for their kids. If you want more programs and activities for Parents at your school, GET INVOLVED! HELP OUT and quit complaining. Do SOMETHING! As for discipline at Busbee, again that finally ends up on the parents. No matter how many referrals and suspensions are given to some kids, the parents still will not see that it's their fault, always the teacher's or administrators. And kids are required to be in school by law, somewhere; so they are allowed back in (by law) until they've exhausted all appeals, which can take the entire school year to do, then they start all over again the next year. Until more parents and community members take the time to get invloved, they will always find fault at any school. It's when you get involved inside the schools that you really see what it takes for those Teachers and Staff members to want to show up there everyday. Be VERY thankful for the ones that do care instead of constantely tearing them down. Would you be able to handle their jobs, not me!
Posted by: Concerned On: 3/24/2009
Comment Title: Busbee/ALC
Discipline problems at ALC begin at Busbee. The same kids that are at ALC were at Busbee. Third grade and up are out of control. Parents need to take responsibility for their kids behavior, it begins at home. The kids are sent to school for the school to handle them. Take care of your discicpline issues at home then they wouldn't have to at school. They are not coming to school to learn how to behave, they are coming for an education. Your bad kids are affecting my children's education. Can't control them keep them at home! Don't blame the principal for your lack of parenting. My disappointment in Busbee is that these discipline problem kids should be sent home, not left there to disrupt the learning environment. Teachers are burnt out on dealing with it,need to go home. Teachers need to handle the problems and move them out. Busbee needs to involve the parents in more activities good and bad. Children and parents should be encouraged to participate at school. How many times have you been to school this year? How many activities has the school offered this year? 2, if that? This is not being done at Busbee! Take responsibility for your problems at home, don't send them to school for them to handle for you!!
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Busbee Elementary
How can a Principal who has raised scores and earned awards at Busbee be demoted to an AP? Oh, that's right, he's not from around here so he isn't aware of the local click that runs things. He's been trying his best to make positive changes by not looking at the way things have always been done. New ideas that have the potential for progress is what he's tried to incorporate into that school only to be stabbed in the back by a select few who constantely resist change if it affects them. When will Aiken County and the Area 4 office get a backbone? And PLEASE do something about AL Corbett, the discipline alone in that school is a joke! But that certainley won't happen now, hubby is on the board! Her future there is secure. Busbee Elementary needs John Mills, he actually cares about the students and community. That's why he came back. Don't let a few with grudges ruin it for our kids.
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Disappointment
The changes come as a big disappointment for our children. So many people in so many new positions means next year will be an introduction for everyone at nearly every school (interesting the ones where no changes were made).
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: agree
I totally agree with the commenter about why certain working but retired personnel are being replaced and two are not being replaced. I am positive that there are plenty HR people who are qualified and would love the opportunity to apply for that position. By the way, the HR director? What are her qualifications? I hope the local media WILL delve into this issue.
Posted by: On: 3/23/2009
Comment Title: Things that make you go hmm...
So all the previous comments about the HR director are relegated to another page where no one will see them? Just to recap - the HR director is a retiree who apparently is not being asked to step down (even though teachers & principals across the county are) because supposedly, she just can't be replaced. What a load. I'm highly disappointed (but not surprised) that the local media has not delved into just who is being let go, and who is not. Aiken Standard - publish a list of employees who are retired, their positions, and whether they are being let go. This would allow the public to see if the BOE's treatment is fair and applies to all. The media is supposed to act as the governmental watchdog for the public. Do your job!
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Comments
The previously posted comments were posted on a different version of the story. It can be found at: http://www.aikenstandard.com/results/FOR-WEB-ONLY-adminstrative-appointments
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: comments
Where are the other 24 comments?
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Board of Ed member
I think Mr. Hightower has his eye on future political aspirations. He always seems to be playing both sides of the fence. Says one thing in a private meeting with his peers and another when he thinks his comments will be printed for all (voters) to read. Can't the good folks in that voting district come up with a better representative? The color of one's skin does not make him/her more qualified or more deserving.
Posted by: On: 3/22/2009
Comment Title: Shake Up
These are positive changes and change is usually good. New energy, bew ideas, new personalities. I am especially interested in Mr. Minolfo's appointment. I know he has done great work at Redcliffe, let's hope he continues to produce at the same level in his new position. Kudos to all those that worked so hard to make what must have been difficult choices. Congratulations to Mr Gunter!
Posted by: On: 3/21/2009
Comment Title: ACPS SHAKE UP
Where did the comments go. I think the comments/concerns should be shown and posted. Aiken County citizens, tax payers, parents, faculty, staff and students should have the right to voice their concern.
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