School district superintendent finalists named

Florence School District 2’s assistant superintendents Charles Hyman and Robert Sullivan have been named as finalists for the Pamplico-based district’s superintendent position.

The two names were released by the district’s board members after they met Monday night for more than an hour in executive session to discuss the finalists.

In open session, board member Robert Carter made a motion to identify both Sullivan and Hyman as finalists for the position and that the board schedule interview times with both at a mutually agreeable time.

Board member Johnny Jenkins seconded the motion, which the board unanimously approved.

The board determined an internal search for the district’s next leader would be the best option in light of a 3-percent cut in state funds.

Hyman has been the district’s assistant superintendent since 1999. He began his career as a math teacher and coach at Johnsonville Middle School in Florence School District 5. He’s held several positions including assistant principal and principal in both Florence 2 and Florence School District 3, which is based in Lake City.

Hyman received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Francis Marion College, now Francis Marion University. He later earned a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina.

Sullivan’s educational career began as a science teacher at what was then Olanta High School. He later became a biology teacher at Lake City High School and assistant principal before becoming principal at Hannah-Pamplico High School in 1990. He became assistant superintendent in 2001 after serving as director of secondary education.

Sullivan attended the University of South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Education in secondary education. He also has a master’s degree, plus 30 certificate in educational administration from the state Department of Education.

The board’s previous superintendent search produced three finalists for the position from outside the district. They were David Bradley, superintendent of Charles City Community School District in Charles City, Iowa; Dr. Kathi Gibson, a retired superintendent from Northampton County Schools in Jackson, N.C.; and Stephen Stohla, superintendent of Brookfield Local Schools in Brookfield, Ohio.

The board members, however, couldn’t come to a unanimous decision on any of these candidates.

The contract for current superintendent Steve Quick ended June 30, but he has stayed on until the board finds his successor or an interim superintendent.

Quick has been an educator for the past 32 years, with 15 years as the superintendent in Florence 2.

On the Web

Florence School District 2, http://www.florence2.k12.sc.us