School District Five names new principal of Lake Murray Elementary

Lexington-Richland School District Five has named Kelly Reese the next principal of Lake Murray Elementary School.

Reese has served as assistant principal of the school since 2014 and was named 2018 Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). She replaces Claire Thompson, who will retire as principal of the school on July 1.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity,” Reese said. “Lake Murray Elementary has great staff and students with tremendous support from our parents and community. My goals are to continue the great legacy that we’ve established here and be laser focused on providing the best educational experience for our students.”

Reese has been a professional educator for 12 years. She attended the University of South Carolina, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and two masters’ degrees in elementary education and education administration. Before becoming assistant principal at Lake Murray Elementary, she was a teacher at Sandhills Elementary School and a literacy coach at Frances Mack Intermediate School.

“Mrs. Reese has been an essential part of the ongoing success at Lake Murray Elementary, and we know she will continue the school’s legacy of providing high quality education to students,” Superintendent-elect Dr. Christina Melton said. “She is an effective manager and strong leader, and we are proud to name her the next principal of the school.”

 Kelly Reese (center) is named 2018 Assistant Principal of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) during a surprise announcement at the school earlier this school year. Reese has been named the next principal of Lake Murray Elementary. She replaces Claire Thompson, who will retire as principal of the school on July 1.