CCSD learning community leadership announcements

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is proud to announce the following new learning community leaders:

Jacqueline Haynes, Associate Superintendent of Acceleration Schools; Stephen “Steve” Larson, Interim Associate Superintendent for High Schools

Jacqueline Haynes, Associate Superintendent for Acceleration Schools

Haynes joined CCSD in the summer of 2020 from Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) where she served as the Director of Achievement Schools two years. She has served as the Executive Director of CCSD’s Acceleration Schools for the past two years.

CCSD’s Acceleration Schools initiative is a comprehensive, multi-year school turnaround effort focused on serving the community’s most vulnerable schools. It encompasses 14 schools ranging from elementary to high.

The Acceleration Schools initiative focuses on serving the academic, social, and cultural needs of students, while working alongside staff, families, and the community to develop and support the whole child. It aims to equip students with the skills needed to thrive and impact the world, while prioritizing equity and building systems that will sustain success and ensure endless possibilities for all scholars. The initiative also empowers teachers and school leaders to close the opportunity gap between the community’s most vulnerable and chronically underperforming schools, and ensure all students have access to a world-class educational experience.

Prior to joining CCSD, as the Director of Achievement Schools in HCPS, Haynes developed and planned school turnaround framework for low performing schools in Hillsborough County. She also oversaw the improvement of 50 low performing achievement schools to meet Florida’s rating system.

Additionally, Haynes supported implementation of the Achievement Schools Strategic Plan for improvement in leadership, instructional infrastructure, talent management, and climate and culture, as well as created and oversaw the curriculum and implementation of equity liaisons in achievement schools.

Prior to leading achievement schools, Haynes served as an executive principal coach in Area 5 of HCPS for three years and spent her first 15 years in HCPS as an assistant principal (2000) and principal at Howard W. Blake High where she was the first African-American high school female principal in the district beginning in 2003. Haynes has also spent time as a guidance counselor, executive internship coordinator, teachers in industry coordinator, and a classroom teacher.

Haynes earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Florida State University and a master’s degree in Education Leadership and a master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of South Florida. She also holds an education specialist degree in Education Innovation and is a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida.

Steve Larson, Interim Associate Superintendent for High Schools

Larson first joined the district in November 2016 from Broward County Public Schools in Florida where he served as principal at Pompano Beach Elementary School. He has served as the principal of St. John’s High School for the past five years.

Over the last 25 years, Larson has held a variety of positions in education from coast to coast. Larson began his career in 1997 as a student services manager for Advantage Schools, Inc. in Boston where he was a network manager for all special programs in K-5 elementary schools nation-wide. Following his time in Massachusetts, Larson relocated to Oregon where he served in a variety of education roles including as a special education teacher, vice principal, principal, director of elementary education, director of instructional services, and assistant superintendent/chief academic officer across several school districts in the state.

In his previous administrative roles as director of instructional services, director of elementary learning, and assistant superintendent/chief academic officer, Larson was responsible for developing and implementing a multitude of programs and supports in the areas of school accountability, multi-language learners, and academic achievement. Specifically, Larson led the development and resourcing of a bilingual program model and expanded bilingual/English language development programs and model across schools, implemented district literacy programs and plans, established new partnerships with community colleges and universities to develop dual credit and dual enrollment programming for high school students, developed capacity for district wide implementation of AVID, developed district equity training programs including restorative justice, and established principal and school supervision and accountability system to ensure continued progress toward district achievement goals. He also served as interim superintendent.

Larson has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Spanish and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Oregon. He completed his superintendent licensure at Portland State University.

Charles Benton will serve as acting principal of St. John’s High School.

For more information, contact the Division of Strategy and Communications at (843) 937-6303

 

About the Charleston County School District

Charleston County School District (CCSD) is a nationally accredited school district committed to providing equitable and quality educational opportunities for all of its students. CCSD is the second-largest school system in South Carolina and represents a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools spanning 1,300 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves approximately 49,000 students in 88 schools and specialized programs.

CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), Montessori, and charter schools. Options include programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military.