School District Five names new principal of CrossRoads Intermediate School

Lexington-Richland School District Five has named veteran educator Justin Thomas the new principal of CrossRoads Intermediate School.

Thomas has served on administrative leadership teams at both Dutch Fork Middle and Dutch Fork High School. In August 2017, he became administrative assistant principal at Dutch Fork High and also served as director of summer school at both Dutch Fork High and Irmo High.

Prior to becoming an administrator, Thomas was a science teacher in schools in School District Five and in Lancaster County School District, where he was named District Teacher of the Year in 2011. He replaces Jesse Hutchinson, who was named principal of Chapin Elementary School in July.

“I’m honored to serve as principal of CrossRoads Intermediate,” Thomas said. “CrossRoads has earned many accolades and had many successes because of the great staff, students and families that are a part of our school community. I look forward to carrying on that legacy and finding even more ways to help our sixth grade students learn and grow.”

Thomas entered the teaching profession through the Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) program after a career as a weather producer and meteorologist at news outlets in North Carolina and New Jersey. As a teacher, he led presentations for the district and planned, organized and executed a professional development day to allow teachers to share best practices and ideas. Thomas earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Winthrop University in 2012.

Superintendent Dr. Christina Melton said, “School District Five intermediate schools provide many benefits to students just entering the secondary level, and it takes special administrators to lead school teams during this transitional time for students. Mr. Thomas’ unique path to education and all the experiences he has had throughout his professional career make him the perfect fit for the principal role at CrossRoads. We are excited about his new role and all that the school will accomplish in the years ahead.”