School News
County school board approves November bond referendum
The Beaufort County Board of Education voted to hold a county-wide bond referendum in November aimed at improving school safety, rebuilding or replacing inadequate facilities, population growth, and adding Career and Technical Education space to address academic needs, a news release said. The Nov. 7 referendum will seek voter approval for $439 million in school safety and security enhancements; a rebuild of Hilton Head Island High School; replacement of Lady’s Island Middle School, a new Pre-K-5 elementary school in Bluffton, a gymnasium for Riverview Charter School, career and technical education renovations and additions, a technology warehouse imaging center, HVAC replacements, furniture, parking lots/drives/sidewalks, a new early childhood center, and a kitchen at Right Choices.
May River High welcomes new principal
KaRon Webb, Ed.D., is the new principal at May River High School. Webb began his administrative career as an assistant administrator at Spring Valley High School in Columbia and served as assistant principal in Chester and as principal of Ridge Spring-Montetta Middle/High School in Montetta.
Bluffton High School opens new athletic facilities
A ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bluffton High School marked the official opening of the athletic field house and wrestling-cheer room. The projects were built using revenues from the Beaufort County School District bond referendum approved by county voters in November 2019. The 5,710-square-foot field house, located adjacent to the football stadium and track, has locker rooms for fall and spring athletes, a referee locker room, and a training room. The 2,878-square-foot wrestling-cheer room is near the school’s gym.
Whale Branch names athletic director
Kaysee Sullivan is the new athletic director at Whale Branch High. Sullivan competed as a thrower for the University of South Carolina. She has worked as an athletic director at South Mecklenburg in North Carolina. Sullivan was a three-sport star at Fort Dorchester.
Hilton Head Prep names new athletic director
Shon Hardy is the new athletic director at Hilton Head Prep. Hardy previously was athletic director at Calvary Day School in Savannah, Ga. He was the assistant women’s basketball coach at Northeastern University in Boston, head varsity women’s basketball coach at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, N.C. and athletic director at EpiscopalCollegiate in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Bluffton High hires softball coach
Rachael Zeides is new varsity softball coach at Bluffton High. She played shortstop at Rider University in New Jersey. Zeides received a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education and mathematics. She teaches math at the high school.
HHCA Students Elected To Leadership Positions at SC Girls, Boys State
Five rising seniors represented Hilton Head Christian Academy at this summer’s Palmetto Girls State and Palmetto Boys State programs. Each was elected into leadership positions by their peers. Palmetto Girls State: Margaret Hiers, Elected Federalist Party Council Executive Chairwoman; Emme Lentz, Mayor and House Representative;Briana Williams, Treasurer of the Federalist Party.
Palmetto Boys State: Jack Mau, Mayor and Senator; Connor White, Mayor and Senator. The programs provide impactful leadership and citizenship training and educate high school students about state and local government and citizenship, HHCA said.
