News Summary
The York School District has revealed three finalists for the superintendent role following Kelly Coxe’s retirement. Heath Branham, Shane Goodwin, and Rodney Graves will participate in a community meet and greet on May 13, 2025. Their extensive backgrounds in education underscore their qualifications for this pivotal leadership position as the district seeks to navigate transition and growth.
York, South Carolina – The York School District has announced three finalists for the much-anticipated position of superintendent, following the retirement announcement of current superintendent Kelly Coxe. The finalists, named on May 6, 2025, are Heath Branham, Shane Goodwin, and Rodney Graves, all of whom have prior connections to South Carolina’s education system.
The selection process included interviews conducted by the school board in late April, culminating in the presentation of these qualified candidates. The board chair expressed satisfaction with the selection, emphasizing the significance of this leadership role for the district’s future.
To facilitate community engagement, the school district is organizing a meet and greet on May 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Harold C. Johnson Elementary School. This event will allow community members to interact with the candidates directly, fostering an inclusive atmosphere during the selection process. Additionally, on the same day, the finalists will tour various district schools and meet with district staff, further immersing them in the York educational environment.
Profiles of the Finalists
Heath Branham is currently serving as the principal at Centerville Elementary School in Gilbert, South Carolina, located near Columbia. His extensive experience includes roles such as the director of elementary schools for Lexington District One and senior vice president with EdisonLearning, focusing on South Carolina’s school turnaround program.
Shane Goodwin holds the position of assistant superintendent for Frederick County Public Schools in Winchester, Virginia. He oversees the operations of multiple schools and directs various departments. Notably, he has a deep-rooted history in the Rock Hill School District where he served over 22 years in various capacities, including principal and assistant principal.
Rodney Graves is the current director of employee and community relations for Lancaster County School District. His career in education spans several roles, including principal, assistant principal, athletic director, and coach. Graves has achieved recognition for his leadership, receiving multiple statewide awards, including the Principal of the Year from the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association in 2018.
Transition and Growth in the District
The incoming superintendent will succeed Kelly Coxe, who has announced her retirement effective at the end of the current school year, having served since 2019. The search for a new superintendent began in February when Coxe’s retirement was made public. In the broader context, York County is experiencing a significant leadership transition, with three out of four public school districts actively seeking new superintendents this year due to recent retirements.
The York School District is also navigating increased growth, as evidenced by a 7.7% rise in the town’s population from 2020 to 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This demographic shift poses new challenges and opportunities for the district, necessitating strong leadership to maintain and advance educational quality.
Despite these changes, the York School District has consistently performed well in state evaluations, with no schools rated unsatisfactory or below average. This establishes a solid foundation for the new superintendent as they step into a role critical to guiding the district through this transitional period while sustaining its positive trajectory.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier
- Wikipedia: York, South Carolina
- WSOC-TV
- Google Search: York School District Superintendent Search
- Herald Online
- Google News: York School District Superintendent
- WCNC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: York school district
- Fox43
- York Dispatch
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
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