PICKENS COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County has announced the principals for Pickens area elementary schools for the 2016-2017 school year.
Paula Alexander will remain the principal at Hagood Elementary, and Dr. Carlton Lewis will continue to lead Ambler Elementary next year.
Donna Harden, who is currently the principal of Holly Springs Elementary, will be the new principal at Pickens Elementary.
“Dr. Lewis and Mrs. Harden have long track-records of success, and Mrs. Alexander has made a very positive impact during her two years at Hagood,” said Dr. Danny Merck, SDPC superintendent. “The leadership of Mrs. Alexander and Dr. Lewis will be crucial as their schools welcome new students during the merger next year. I also have tremendous confidence in Mrs. Harden to combine her experience leading Holly Springs with the excellent faculty and staff at Pickens Elementary.”
Dr. Allen Fain, who is currently the principal at Pickens Elementary, has been named to be the future Director of Adult Education for SDPC.
He will work with Dr. Mary Gaston, the current Director of Adult Education for one year in preparation for taking over the program in 2017.
Mrs. Melissa Terry will continue to serve as principal of A.R. Lewis Elementary for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year, and will work closely with the other Pickens area principals to ensure a smooth merger process.
Her role with SDPC for the 2016-2017 school year has not yet been determined.
“Dr. Fain and Mrs. Terry are important members of the SDPC team,” Merck said. “Our Adult Education program has made a huge impact both on our community and on our high school graduation rate under Dr. Gaston’s leadership, and I believe Dr. Fain has the skills to maintain that program’s excellence. Mrs. Terry has shown great promise as an educational leader at A.R. Lewis, and will remain a part of our team going forward.”