PICKENS COUNTY — Dr. Bill Roach, assistant superintendent of the School District of Pickens County, has been named the District Superintendent of Schools in Union County.

Roach, who became assistant superintendent under Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck, will begin his duties as the Union County school’s head this summer following the completion of the 2015-2016 school year.

Although it will be a challenge, Roach said he is looking forward to the opportunity and feels his experience in Pickens County will be a plus to him in his new position.

“The backgrounds of these two communities are far more similar than folks would think and they have faced some of the same problems in their communities and schools,” Roach said. “Union County went through its own consolidation/closure situation a few years ago, they have some of the same issues we have been facing here, and having been with SDPC has been a blessing because I have firsthand experience in dealing with them.”

Roach is referencing school consolidation/closings that effected Jonesville and Lockhart.

The communities’ similarities seemed to give Roach a sense of the familiar though the issues he could face may not be readily solved by steps in Pickens County.

For one thing the district has one quarter of the schools SDPC fields.

“Both of these communities have seen pretty much the same struggles. They were mill towns and then the textile industry collapsed in the South and both have had to rebound and find their identity and economic recovery,” Roach said. “These are hardworking middle class families and good people. It’s going to be like going home.”

Roach was thankful for his time with SDPC and Merck.

“I was given a unique and fantastic opportunity here,” he said. “It’s because of my time here and what I have learned I am able to go to this next step in my career.”

Dr. Bill Roach, assistant superintendent of SDPC, will be joining the Union County School system as Superintendent on June 1.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_150.jpgDr. Bill Roach, assistant superintendent of SDPC, will be joining the Union County School system as Superintendent on June 1. D. C. Moody | The Pickens Sentinel

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.