Schwalbe and Starling Approved by the Laurens County School District 55 School Board to Fill 2025-2026 Administrative Positions

The School Board of Laurens County School District 55 (LCSD 55) held its regularly scheduled School Board Meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the LCSD 55 District Administrative Office. The LCSD 55 School Board approved recommendations for Jonathan Schwalbe and Emily Starling to fill administrative vacancies.

Jonathan Schwalbe will serve as the Sanders Middle School (SMS) Principal beginning on July 1, 2025. Schwalbe will be vacating his position as the Freshman Assistant Principal at Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS), which he began serving in the academic year 2023-2024. Before that, Schwalbe served as Gray Court-Owings (GCO) School Assistant Principal. He has eighteen years of cumulative experience in the field of education.

Schwalbe has earned his Tier 1 Secondary Principal and South Carolina Teaching Standards (SCTS) 4.0 Evaluator credentials from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). In 2006, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina. In 2022, he earned his Master of Arts in Education in School Leadership from Furman University.

Schwalbe is a worthy choice to be the next SMS Principal. He is committed to the growth of students through the development of teachers, building strong relationships, and collaboration. As an educator and assistant principal, Schwalbe has experience in coaching, evaluation, planning, differentiated instruction, providing staff support, and implementing student positive behavior interventions and support.

Schwalbe expressed his delight to hear about the LCSD 55 School Board of Trustees’ decision to hire him as SMS Principal. “I am honored and humbled to be selected as the principal of Sanders Middle School. I am grateful for the support of Laurens School District 55 and the Laurens community. I hope to help Sanders continue to grow as a school with a five-star culture of excellence and to support each student and staff member as they realize their potential,” said Schwalbe.

Beginning July 1, 2025, Emily Starling will serve as the new Director of the Office of Special Education Services (OSES). Starling will be vacating her position as the principal of Hickory Tavern School (HTS). She has held that role from the academic year 2023-2024, and in two years, she has proven her leadership effectiveness. HTS has experienced increased student achievement and teacher performance, as well as sustained high student, staff, and community morale. Recently, Starling was selected to participate in the SCDE School Leadership Executive Institute (SLEI). SLEI enhanced Starling’s skills in the areas of Instructional Leadership, Leading Change, Engagement, and Motivational Strategies.

Starling is a certified South Carolina Elementary Education Educator and Special Education Educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education from Lander University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has earned the South Carolina Read to Succeed Literacy Teacher and Instructional Coach endorsements. She began her career at LCSD 55 in 2005. Her previous roles in LCSD 55 include HTS and Ford Elementary School Assistant Principal (AP), HTS Instructional Coach, District Special Education Instructional Coach, and Special Education Teacher.

Starling is highly qualified for her new role. She has strong knowledge of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to effectively increase student growth in academics and socio-emotional health. Starling is also well-versed in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Professional Crisis Management, and Behavior Tools.

Mrs. Starling is ecstatic with her new role. She said, “I am incredibly excited and honored to serve as the Director of Special Education Services. This role is both a privilege and a responsibility that I take to heart, as it allows me to support students, families, and educators in creating inclusive and empowering learning environments. I look forward to working collaboratively with our dedicated teams to ensure every student receives the services and opportunities they need to thrive.”