Two District Five principals named as 2017 South Carolina Principals of the Year

COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) has named two principals in Lexington-Richland School District Five as 2017 South Carolina Principals of the Year. Dr. Gerald Gary of Dutch Fork Middle School was recognized as SC Middle Level Principal of the Year and Dr. Akil Ross of Chapin High School was recognized as SC Secondary Principal of the Year.

Gary is in his fourth year as principal of Dutch Fork Middle School. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Francis Marion University in 1998, a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2004 and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2007. Gary began his teaching career as an eighth grade Language Arts teacher at Blythewood Middle School in 1999. After three years there, Gary spent a year as lead teacher at Blythewood Academy and three years at Summit Parkway Middle School as an Assistant Principal. Before becoming Principal at Dutch Fork Middle, Gary spent eight years as an elementary school principal in Kershaw County Schools and at Leaphart Elementary School in District Five.

Ross is in his sixth year as principal at Chapin High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Duke University in 2002, a Masters in Secondary Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina in 2005, an Educational Specialist degree from South Carolina State University in 2009 and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum Studies at the University of South Carolina. Ross began his teaching career as a Social Studies teacher at Eau Claire High School in 2002. From there, he served as Assistant Principal at Chapin High School from 2005 to 2010 before taking the role as Principal.  In 2015, Ross led Chapin High School to the honor of being named as Palmetto’s Finest High School.

“This is truly an honor to be named the 2017 South Carolina Secondary Principal of the Year by SCASA,” Ross said. “The award may have my name on it, but it is really the work of the students, the amazing faculty and staff I have here and just a tribute to the awesome community of Chapin, South Carolina.

SCASA Executive Director Beth Phibbs presented the awards to Gary and Ross and shared her thoughts on each being named Principals of the Year saying, “Dr. Gary and Dr. Ross are exceptional leaders who set high expectations for their students and staff and encourage them to achieve at high levels. Both men are gifted visionaries who are respected and appreciated by their students, teachers and staff, parents and the community.”

District Five Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner congratulates Dutch Fork Middle School principal Dr. Gerald Gary on being named the 2017 SC Middle Level Principal of the Year by SCASA.

SCASA Executive Director Beth Phibbs presents Chapin High School principal Dr. Akil Ross with the 2017 SC Secondary Principal of the Year award.