Laurens County School District 55 School Board Approves 2024-25 School Administrators at Four Schools
March 26, 2024
Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) School Board held their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on March 25, 2024. The LCSD 55 School Board went on an Executive Session to discuss Administrative Contacts and approved the hiring of a new principal for Laurens Middle School, the re-assignment of Principal Kimberly Penland, and the promotion of two LCSD 55 assistant principals to principal roles.
Tiffany McElveen will serve as the 2024-25 Laurens Middle School (LMS) Principal. Tiffany earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in December 2005 from Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. She also earned a Master’s in Business Administration in 2009 from Strayer University. In 2015, she earned the title of Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. She has eleven years of experience as an assistant principal. She currently serves as an assistant principal at Bryson Middle School in Greenville County School District and as an Adjunct Professor at Greenville Technical College. McElveen’s wealth of experience includes serving as Department Chair and Co-Chair, trainer, and public speaker.
McElveen is excited about joining LCSD 55. She said, “Joining Laurens County School District 55 fills me with a sense of anticipation and eagerness to contribute to academic excellence for all students. I firmly believe that education is a transformative force capable of empowering young minds and shaping leaders of tomorrow. With this in mind, I am committed to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and student-centered approach to education that celebrates all students. Together, we will build upon the strong foundation of excellence that defines Laurens Middle School, and together, we will continue to strive for greatness in all that we do.”
Laurens Middle School 2023-24 Assistant Principal Emily Parks will become the 2024-25 Principal at Waterloo Elementary School (WES). Emily is a lifelong resident of Laurens County, a graduate of Laurens District 55 High School, and a veteran employee of LCSD55. She has thirteen years of experience as a classroom teacher and six years of experience as an assistant principal. Among her many roles in the field of education were Testing Coordinator, Textbook Coordinator, Local Educational Agency Representative ensuring efficient Individualized Education Plan meetings, Child Early Reading and Development Education Program (CERDEP) Director, and afterschool program director. One of her goals as a school leader is to ensure high-quality instruction for all learners. Emily Parks is a strong communicator, relationship-builder, and nurturer of positive working and learning environments.
“I am thrilled to have the privilege of serving the Waterloo Elementary community next year. I look forward to being back in the elementary setting and working with the wonderful teachers and staff at WES. Waterloo Elementary has achieved great levels of success over the past few years, and I’m excited to continue the efforts that have been established as we all work together to meet the needs of our students and their families,” said Parks.
2023-24 Waterloo Elementary School Principal Kimberly Penland will become the 2024-25 Ford Elementary School (FES) Principal. Kimberly Penland holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Winthrop University, a Masters in Elementary Education from Converse University, and an add-on certification in Administration and Supervision from Clemson University. She has a proven record of successful school leadership. Kimberly Penland led WES to great heights in the last two years. Her data-driven approach to planning for supporting academic growth coupled with her ability to collaboratively work with teachers, staff, parents, guardians, and volunteers, has moved WES’s South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) 2022-23 School Report Card rating from Average to Excellent. SCDE Superintendent Ellen Weaver personally congratulated the teachers and staff at WES for their hard work. WES also earned a Lighthouse Award in December 2023 from the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence (BRSE) for meeting high standards in education. Mrs. Penland has a long history with Ford Elementary School and was once named FES Teacher of the Year. She looks forward to continuing her journey as a principal at FES. Penland said, “I am honored and excited to serve as Principal of Ford Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year. I attended Ford Elementary School through the 8th grade as a student. I spent much of my career at Ford as a classroom teacher, Title I Curriculum Coordinator, Math and Science Coach, and Assistant Principal. I will work hard to serve the students and community. One goal I would like to achieve is to build positive relationships with the staff, students, parents, and the community, so we can work together to provide an excellent educational environment for the students, which will increase academic achievement. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the Waterloo and Gray Court-Owings communities and look forward to serving the Ford Elementary community.”
Mr. Michael Andrew “Andy” Entrekin, 2023-24 Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) Assistant Principal for Seniors, will become the 2024-25 Gray Court-Owings (GCO) School Principal. Entrekin holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Education in Administration/Supervision from the University of South Carolina. He has certification in Tier 1 Secondary Principal, Music Education Instrumental K-12, South Carolina Teaching Standards (SCTS) 4.0 Evaluator, School Counselor Evaluator, and School Librarian Evaluator. Andy has five years of experience as an assistant principal at LDHS and thirteen years of experience as a Bands Coordinator in the district. Andy Entrekin is well-versed in the implementation of school discipline, school logistical scheduling, event planning, planning and implementation of professional development, interviewing, hiring, coaching, and assessing new and veteran teachers. He has great initiative and implemented the Accountability Coaching program to help increase the graduation rate at LDHS. He also initiated the Employability Skills Clinic for students at LDHS. Andy Entrekin is greatly delighted with the opportunity to use his experience and skills as GCO Principal. Entrekin said, “I am very excited to be joining the GCO community of students, staff, and parents. It is my sincere hope that everyone associated with the campus will be able to feel as though they are creating an atmosphere and expectation of excellence.”
LCSD 55 is optimistic about the future of LMS, WES, FES, and GCO with the new leadership. The district requests the school communities, parents, guardians, teachers, staff, students, and volunteers to support the new principals at each school.
