Darlington County Board of Education appoints two new administrators
During its August meeting on Monday, the Darlington County Board of Education appointed J. Ervin McElveen as Director of Operations and Maintenance for the Darlington County School District and Tony Thomas as the district’s Director of Transportation.
Tony Thomas
“It’s always a positive move for our district when we are able to hire such exceptional talent from within our own ranks,” said Dr. Eddie Ingram, superintendent. “Mr. Thomas and Mr. McElveen both bring a wealth of experience and skills to their new positions. I am confident under their leadership our transportation and operations departments will exceed expectations as we strive to become a 21st century district.”
McElveen will transition from the district’s Hartsville-area bus supervisor, a position he has held since 2002, to director of operational and maintenance related services. He has an extensive professional background in planning, executing and overseeing large-scale operations, including running a construction company from 1988 until 2002. Prior to that, he worked as a director of training and development for J.P. Stevens Company. A licensed educator, McElveen also taught carpentry in DCSD. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Francis Marion University.
Ervin McElveen
“I look forward to the opportunity to serve as the Director of Operations and Maintenance in DCSD,” McElveen said. “My top priority will be working with all staff in the district to improve cleanliness and maintenance for all DCSD facilities. I am grateful for this new opportunity to serve the citizens of Darlington County.”
Thomas, who spent the past six years as an assistant principal at North Hartsville Elementary School, will oversee the district’s system of school buses and drivers. He has been employed in DCSD since 2002, when he began his career as a seventh and eighth grade physical education teacher at Hartsville and Darlington junior high schools. From 2006 until 2010, he taught physical education for first through fifth grades at West Hartsville Elementary School, North Hartsville Elementary School and Thornwell School for the Arts. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Newberry College and a Master of Science in Education, specializing in Education Leadership, from Arkansas State University.
“I am excited for the opportunity to direct such an essential portion of public education in Darlington County School District,” Thomas said. “Ensuring that our children have safe and dependable transportation to and from school is vital to their success in the classroom.”
Both McElveen and Thomas will begin in their new positions immediately.
