Principals appointed to new Hartsville, Lamar area schools
The Darlington County Board of Education has announced the appointment of two experienced principals to lead two of the new elementary schools now under construction.
Kristi Austin, the current principal of North Hartsville Elementary School, will take the reins of the new Lamar area elementary school.
Jackee Lynn, the current principal of Spaulding Elementary, will lead the new Hartsville-area elementary school.
Both schools will open in the fall of 2020.
“We spent the better part of a year reviewing data, analyzing needs, listening, and working to find the best fits for our new schools,” said Tim Newman, superintendent of the Darlington County School District.
“It isn’t easy to establish a new school environment, especially when combining existing schools. New leadership helps.
“We believe these principals have the experience, knowledge, and skills to get the new schools off the ground and create a foundation of excellence for our students.”
Lynn has been the principal of Spaulding Elementary School in Lamar for the past four years.
Before becoming principal, Lynn was a National Board Certified elementary school teacher, an assistant principal, a school special education facilitator, and the DCSD’s coordinator of recruitment and retention.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Math from Virginia Union University, a Masters of Science in Economics from Virginia State University, and a Master of Education in Education Administration from Winthrop University.
Lynn will lead the new Hartsville-area elementary school under construction on Bay Road in Hartsville.
The district is combining two schools – Washington Street Elementary School and West Hartsville Elementary School – to create the new school.
“Helping to shape a new school from the very beginning is an exciting opportunity and I welcome the challenge,” said Lynn.
“I look forward to working with our school families, faculties, and community to honor Washington Street and West Hartsville elementary schools while creating and establishing new traditions and expectations of excellence in our new school.”
Austin began her education career as a classroom teacher in 1994.
Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher specialist, an assistant principal (elementary and middle school), and a principal.
She has been the principal of North Hartsville Elementary since 2008.
Austin has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University as well as a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Educational Administration, both from the University of South Carolina.
Austin will lead the new Lamar-area elementary school under construction at the intersection of Lamar Highway and Country Club Road in Lamar.
The district is combining Spaulding Elementary School and Lamar Elementary School to create the new school.
“It is an incredible opportunity to work with Lamar Elementary and Spaulding Elementary faculty, staff and families to create a new school for the Lamar community,” said Austin.
“I am excited to be a part of the tradition of excellence of these two schools and I look forward to meeting with the schools and community as we shape our school.
“There is no doubt that the students of Lamar will continue to flourish as we work together to build the culture, expectations, and traditions of our new school.”
Both Lynn and Austin will continue to serve as principals of their current schools until the end of the school year.
