Marlboro County School District officials announced two new hires and three administration changes for the 2021-22 school year at Monday’s board meeting.
Pam Johnson was hired as the new executive director of secondary education.
A native of Florence, Johnson received a bachelor of science degree in elementary education at Benedict College in Columbia and a master of education degree in educational leadership at Salem International University in Salem, West Va. 
Johnson holds an endorsement from the SC State Department as a transformational leadership coach. She has twelve years of school administration experience on the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She has served as principal, assistant principal, learning specialist, and lead educational diagnostician.
Johnson is married to a fellow educator, Larry Johnson, an assistant superintendent at Darlington. They have two sons, Gaige is a senior at Wilson High School who plans to attend College of Charleston in the fall, and Denim, who is a sophomore at Wilson High School.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, families, and community of Marlboro County. I look forward to working collaboratively with all educational stakeholders to foster and promote sustained student achievement. Likewise, I look forward to visiting schools and developing a system-wide level of support that cultivates excellence and achievement in Marlboro County schools,” Johnson said.
Superintendent Dr. Gregory McCord said, “Mrs. Johnson will support Marlboro County High School and middle school students to reach their potential. She will be working to improve graduation rates and the percentage of students with college and career-readiness credentials beginning at the middle school and continuing through graduation. She will be working to provide innovative programs, support leadership development, and monitoring the district’s strategic plan.”
Dr. Jason Bryant, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, said they were excited to have  Johnson join their team.
“She will be a fantastic addition to the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Mrs. Johnson’s background, experience, and professionalism will assist our district to provide students with the necessary preparation for the careers of the 21st century. We are looking forward to her leadership as we continue to look for ways to enhance our instructional program,” he said.
Dr. Kimberly Walsh was hired as the executive director of elementary education. 
Walsh has served 29 years as an educator in the public   schools of South Carolina. She earned her doctorate in educational   leadership and an educational specialist degree in leadership from   Wingate University in Wingate, N.C. 
She also received a  master of education degree in educational administration and  supervision from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, and a  bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Francis  Marion University in Florence. 
Currently, Walsh is serving as principal of Lake View Elementary School in Dillon District Four for the last seventeen years. Under her leadership, Lake View Elementary received the distinguished honors of Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver for academic achievement eight consecutive years. Lake View Elementary also received the Red Carpet School Award for outstanding customer service. Dr. Walsh served at the district level as the testing and early childhood coordinator for Darlington County School District. In addition to supervising the Early Childhood Program, she was the coordinator of testing for 22 schools. Before serving in Darlington County, Dr. Walsh served as the support coordinator for Marion School District Seven, where she supervised state and federal grant programs in the district. 
Walsh has three sons, Will, Jameson, and Joseph. Her oldest son, Will, is following in his mom’s footsteps and is a history teacher at Lancaster High School and the head varsity baseball coach. Her daughter-in-law, Kimber, is also a guidance counselor at McDonald Green Elementary School in Lancaster County. 
Walsh is excited about the opportunity to serve the community and schools of Marlboro County School District. She is looking forward to ensuring every student is college and career ready, equipped with world-class skills and life skills to make them globally competitive. She is both honored and humbled to be selected as the executive director of elementary education and will serve with enthusiasm, dedication, loyalty, and a strong work ethic.  
“Dr. Walsh brings a tremendous amount of experience, skill, and expertise to the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. In her career, she has demonstrated leadership and innovation to move students in a positive direction. As our school district continues to progress and make improvements, she will be an integral part of leading learners to the next level,” said Bryant.

Administrative changes
Mahilda Douglas will be the principal at Clio Elementary School. She will have big shoes to fill as she is taking over for long-time district employee and current principal of Clio Elementary School Julia Cain.
Douglas is a native of Marlboro County and a 1998 graduate of Marlboro County High School. She received her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from South Carolina State University and a master’s in education administration from Grand Canyon University. 
Douglas is currently completing her 20th year in education (all of which have been in Marlboro County). Throughout her professional career, she has served in a variety of roles and leadership capacities including the eighth ELA teacher, Marlboro County School District gifted and talented coordinator,
Master Teacher, Mentor Teacher, 2015 Marlboro County School District Teacher of the Year, assistant principal, and principal. She currently serves as co-principal at Wallace Elementary Middle School.
Douglas said, “I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue my role as an instructional leader in Marlboro County.”
Ashley Taylor will be the principal at Bennettsville Intermediate School.
Taylor grew up in Hartsville, South Carolina, and is a 2002 graduate of Hartsville High School. She earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Winthrop University as a Teaching Fellows Scholar. 
She went on to teach fourth and fifth grades in Darlington County School District where she was named the District Teacher of the Year in 2010. She also earned a master’s degree in instructional accommodation from Francis Marion University and became a mentor teacher and certified evaluator in the elementary setting.
Taylor moved on to become a reading coach and master teacher in Marlboro County as she worked toward her add-on licensure in educational leadership through Wingate University. During that time, she also served as the Marlboro County School District induction teacher facilitator providing support, guidance, and feedback on first-year teachers’ experiences in their own classrooms. She went on to be named assistant principal of curriculum and instruction between two schools, Clio Elementary Middle School and Marlboro School of Discovery. 
From there she was named interim principal of Marlboro School of Discovery and went on to become principal. She currently serves as co-principal at Wallace Elementary Middle School. 
Taylor has been an educator for 14 years and has served in the roles which have prepared her to be the instructional leader she is today. 
Taylor believes that education should focus on the whole child and finds that much of the importance of education is built upon building relationships between all stakeholders in education. She believes allowing students to have leadership opportunities throughout their educational journey will further develop their success as future leaders of tomorrow. 
 “I am honored to serve the students and families of Bennettsville Intermediate School,” she said.
Crystal Halma will be the principal of Wallace Elementary Middle School. 
Halma has been an educator for 15 years. She has served as an elementary teacher, a curriculum coordinator, a SCTAP master teacher, assistant principal, and principal at Bennettsville Intermediate School for the past three years. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master of education in instructional accommodations, and a master of education in administration. 
Halma earned her National Board Certification in literacy reading-language arts in early and middle childhood and is a certified numeracy leader through the South Carolina Department of Education.
“Educating and advocating for children has always been a passion of mine,” she said. I have a quote that I strive to live by daily. It states, ‘Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.’ –Rita Pierson. I am extremely humbled and honored to serve as an administrator for Marlboro County School District,” Halma said.
McCord said, “Making decisions that support academic achievement for all students in Marlboro County School District is one of my most important responsibilities. I believe this trio of professional educators will do great things for our students, schools, and our community.”