PICKENS COUNTY — Clif Alexander and Melissa Terry have accepted interim positions within the School District of Pickens County following approval granted by the SDPC Board of Trustees on June 27.
Alexander has been named interim assistant superintendent of administration in place of former Pickens High School principal Marion Lawson.
John Eby, public information specialist for the SDPC, said Lawson suffered a severe stroke just days before he was to start in his new position.
“(Lawson) has taken an indefinite leave of absence as he undergoes physical therapy to recover,” Eby stated.
Alexander, who has served as principal for Six Mile Elementary School for more than a decade, will act in a part-time capacity in his new role throughout the summer. Beginning Sept. 6, as the new school year kicks off, he will transition to full-time status.
Sliding up to Alexander’s vacated spot is Melissa Terry, who has been named interim principal at Six Mile Elementary School following Alexander’s promotion.
Terry is an adjunct professor at Furman University and has more than 25 years experience as an educator and administrator. She is the former principal of A.R. Lewis Elementary School and was recently named transitional principal in overseeing the Pickens area elementary school merger.
She is a National Board Certified teacher who in addition to her administrative experience has taught the first, second, fourth and fifth grades. Terry was named the Teacher of the Year at Clemson Elementary in 2000.
Like Alexander, Terry will serve in a part-time capacity until Sept. 6, at which time she will become the full-time interim principal.
“We are blessed to have so many capable people on our team who can help us bridge the gap during Mr. Lawson’s absence,” said Dr. Danny Merck, SDPC superintendent. “We’re hoping for a full recovery for him, and I’m very confident that Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Terry will do an excellent job of leading our principals and Six Mile Elementary School, respectively, in the coming months.”
