Swilley Named Acting Superintendent FAIRFIELD COUNTY – Superintendent Alvin Pressley has informed the Fairfield County School Board of his need to take medical leave. During its meeting on July 22, the Board voted to appoint Dr. Tracie Swilley as Acting Superintendent of the District during Pressley’s absence. “It is our hope that Mr. Pressley will […]
Charter school to open in Ridgeway in fall 2027
July 24, 2025 By
RIDGEWAY – A new charter high school focused on trade skills will be opening in Ridgeway in the fall of 2027, according to the school’s Development Director Phil Frye. The Academy for Skill Technologies will offer all the academics that are required for a traditional high school diploma – math, science, English, social studies – […]
Chris Jackson named top high school barber in US
July 10, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – Chris Jackson, a 2025 graduate of Fairfield Central High School and a standout student at Fairfield Career & Technology Center (FCTC), has earned national recognition after winning first place in the High School Barbering Competition at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) held in Atlanta, Georgia. Competing against 31 of […]
Schmidt named Interim Principal at Blythewood
July 3, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – Veteran educator Ralph Schmidt will serve as Interim Principal at Blythewood High School, bringing more than 40 years of experience in education and school leadership. Schmidt previously served as Assistant Superintendent for Lexington School District Three, overseeing all operations and human resources. Prior to that, he held numerous leadership positions in Richland Two, […]
Pressley named new FCSD Super
June 19, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – The Fairfield County School District Board of Trustees unanimously selected Alvin Pressley as the district’s next Superintendent during a special called board meeting held on Friday, June 13. Pressley will officially begin his new role on July 1. Mr. Pressley currently serves as Superintendent of the School District of Newberry County. Throughout his […]
Sherman leaves BHS for district leadership role
June 12, 2025 By
BLYTHEWOOD – After spending almost two decades at Blythewood High School, including the last six years as principal, Matt Sherman is leaving to serve as Executive Director of Student Services for Richland School District Two. A press release issued Monday by the district said Sherman, in his new role, “will be responsible for a wide […]
FCSD narrows down Superintendent candidates to three finalists
June 12, 2025 By
FAIRFIELD COUNTY – The Fairfield County Board of Trustees voted on June 6 to select three candidates as finalists for the position of Superintendent. The three finalists are Dr. Chan Anderson, Dr. Marty Conner, Sr., and Mr. Alvin Pressley. Dr. Chan Anderson currently serves as the Superintendent for Chesterfield County School District. Prior to becoming […]
Ridge View sued again for student violence
June 5, 2025 By
COLUMBIA – A Richland County school with “a documented history of crime, violence, assaults and weapons offenses” is the subject of a lawsuit that says a student was shot in the school’s parking lot. The litigation stems from a shooting incident on or about April 30 in the Ridge View High School parking lot. One […]
Midlands STEM 4-H plants pollinator garden
June 5, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – Last week’s grand opening was a celebration for Midlands STEM Charter School’s 4-H Club. Complete with a ribbon cutting and a butterfly release, the ceremony highlighted the hard work of club members, who designed and planted the garden on the school’s campus. Pollinator gardens are reminiscent of WWI Victory Gardens in that they […]
MSCS’s Berry named Rookie of the Year
May 29, 2025 By
WINNSBORO – Chantell Berry, Executive Director and Principal of Midlands STEM Charter School (MSCS), has been named the 2025 Rookie of the Year by the school’s authorizer, the Charter Institute at Erskine. The statewide award was presented to Berry during the Institute’s 7th annual Awards Banquet, in front of an audience of more than 500 […]
