FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence School District One officials named three finalists in search of a new superintendent.
After a number of community meetings, speaking with employees, and conducting an online survey, district officials conducted interviews for three nights this week in an effort to find candidates best fitting for the district’s needs.
“We received 53 applications for the position, from candidates representing 22 different states. We were very impressed with the high quality of the candidates we interviewed this week,” said Board chairman Barry Townsend. “We are looking for a dynamic, instructional leader who can build on our successes and propel us forward. We selected three candidates who we believe can do that. Our next step will be determining the best of these three.”
The three finalists include:
Dr. Ronald Hargrave
Dr. Ronald Hargrave is currently Superintendent of Scotland County Schools in Laurinburg, NC. Prior to this post, he served as Deputy Superintendent of Iredell-Statesville Schools where he also served as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, Executive Director of Student Services and Middle School Curriculum. and Executive Director of Student Support Services. He began his educational career as a Business Education teacher in North Carolina’s Alexander County Schools where he also later served as an assistant principal and a principal.
Dr. Richard O’Malley
Dr. Richard O’Malley is currently Superintendent of Edison Township Public Schools in Edison, NJ. Prior to this post, he was superintendent of Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District and Mountainside School District, both in New Jersey. A graduate of Clemson University, he began his educational career as an elementary and middle school teacher. Prior to his first superintendent post, he also served as an assistant principal and principal.
Dr. William (Shane) Robbins
Dr. William (Shane) Robbins is currently Superintendent of Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation in Fontville, Indiana. Prior to this post, he was Superintendent of Northwestern Consolidated School District and Monroe Central School Corporation, both in Indiana. He began his career as a science and health teacher and later served as a high school assistant principal, associate principal, and principal before his first superintendent post.
Resumes and photos of the finalists will be posted on the Florence School District One website at www.fsd1.org.
Townsend said that each finalist will spend one day in the district next week touring schools and the community and interacting with Board members, employees, and the public. On each day “Meet the Candidate” drop-ins will be held so that employees, students, parents and other community members can stop by and meet and greet each finalist.
Drop-ins will be on April 30, May 1, and May 2 at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce at 100 West Evans Street in Florence from 4 to 6 p.m. One of the three finalists will be present on each day. Following the drop-ins, the Board will conduct a second interview with the candidate in executive session.
“We really hope that employees and members of the community will drop-in and greet each candidate. We know it is asking a lot for people to come out three days in a row, but the Board wants to have sufficient time individually with each candidate. We also want employees and members of the public to have an opportunity to meet our finalists,” said Townsend.
The school board could make a decision as early as the end of next week, but Townsend cautions that the Board will take whatever time is needed to complete the process.
“This is the most important decision that a school board makes, so we will take whatever time is necessary to get it right for our students and our community,” said Townsend. “We have appreciated the support and interest from the community and look forward to announcing the next leader for our school district very soon.”
