Love named next principal of Red Bank Elementary starting July 2026
March 3, 2026
At its February 24, 2026, meeting, the Lexington County School District One Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Tomeka Love as the next principal of Red Bank Elementary. Love will begin her new role in July 2026 following the retirement of Principal Janet Ricard, who concludes a 28-year career in public education.
Love currently serves as assistant principal at Red Bank Elementary, a role she has held since July 2023. She previously served as assistant principal at Carolina Springs Elementary from 2019–2023.
In 2024, Love received the Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year Award from the S.C. Association of School Administrators. That led to the National Association of Elementary School Principals including her in the 2024 class of National Outstanding Assistant Principals.
Superintendent Dr. Keith Price said, “After a thorough search process that involved employee and parent input, we know that Tomeka Love brings the right combination of experience, knowledge, community connection and enthusiasm to lead Red Bank Elementary into its next chapter of excellence. She has a strong track record in keeping the focus on students and supporting teachers through high quality professional development.”
Love holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Francis Marion University and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Webster University. She began her career in the counseling field, eventually transitioning from a school-based mental health counselor in Saluda County to a school counselor at Saluda Elementary.
During her 11 years at Saluda Elementary she also served as the multilingual learner coordinator and interventionist. Before joining Lexington One, she served as an assistant principal and federal programs coordinator for two years at Felton Laboratory Charter School in Orangeburg.
Love, a lifelong learner, is currently pursuing her doctoral degree from Clemson University where she also earned her educational specialist degree and school counseling certification. She also holds the elementary principal certification. Love is a member of the S.C. Association for Teaching, Learning and Leading, S.C. Association of School Administrators, Palmetto State Teachers Association and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
