DCSD superintendent released, acting superintendent named
By Melissa Rollins, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net
Dr. Eddie Ingram is out as superintendent of Darlington County School District as the board of education voted to accept his resignation Thursday Aug. 10, at Ingram’s request.
The board was unanimous in its decision. Dr. Thelma Dawson made the motion to accept Ingram’s resignation, effective August 20. The motion included the decision to allow Ingram to use vacation days for the remainder of that term meaning that he will no longer be superintendent, effective immediately. On the night of Aug. 8, Ingram was named the new superintendent as Berkeley County School.
After releasing Ingram, the board voted to name Dr. Willie ‘Bill’ Boyd as acting superintendent.
With the district in the midst of a building program for three new schools, one each in Hartsville, Darlington and Society Hill, some might see the timing as bad for DCSD. Ingram said that he is confident that the district will continue running smoothly without him at the helm.
“I don’t think it is a bad time at all because we have the construction management team on-board,” Ingram said. “We are very close to site selection in the other locations (Darlington’s school will be build on the existing Cain property). The people are on the ground who will help move that forward. Once those processes are in place, it is much easier for someone else to come in and take it to the finish line.”
Ingram said that the district’s administration is in good hands with Boyd, who has almost 50 years of experience in the education field.
“We’ve already got talented professionals here,” Ingram said. “There are days I’m not here and the same team behind me leads the district, with Dr. Boyd the lead. It is really going to be business as usual; I don’t feel like there is going to be any misstep at all.”
The district released a statement after the meeting.
“The Board of Education is pleased Dr. Boyd has agreed to step into the leadership role during this crucial time of transition,” said Jamie Morphis, chairman of the Darlington County Board of Education. “His experience and knowledge will be invaluable as we move forward.”
Of the nearly five decades that Boyd has worked for DCSD, 25 of those have been in district administration.
Aside from his current position as associate superintendent, he has also served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal at multiple schools, transportation director, assistant to the superintendent and assistant superintendent for administration.
“I appreciate the confidence of the board to allow me to step in during this time. We have a very capable staff in place, and we will rely on that experience as we prepare for a new school year,” said Boyd. “We appreciate the efforts of Dr. Ingram. He brought many great ideas to the district, and we will build on those successes. Our focus will continue to be on every child, every day. We want the community to know we give 110 percent each day we are here.”
Boyd serves on the Florence-Darlington Technical College Board of Directors, as well as the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and the First Church of God Board of Trustees. He is a U.S. Army veteran. He is married to Patricia White Boyd, and they have four children.
