MARLBORO COUNTY — Last Thursday, local residents, MCSD staff, elected officials, and many other well-wishers packed the Marlboro Golf and Rec Complex for a special luncheon to celebrate and welcome newly appointed School Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth McDonald. The event drew roughly 100 attendees and was catered by Rebecca McArthur of McArthur Farms.
Many speakers acknowledged the elephant in the room— the MCSD Board of Education’s recent dissolvement.
Senator JD Chaplin said, “We did something we didn’t want to have to do, but educating students is the number one priority of the school district. We may have a long row to hoe, but together we can do it.”
Clio Mayor Adam Pate said that even though it might be raining outside, he could see the sun starting to come out for Marlboro County with the hiring of McDonald.
“This is about the children, and I want to thank Superintendent Ellen Weaver and Dr. Michael Thorsland—they have been a blessing to Marlboro County,” Pate said.
County Council Chairman Damien Johnson said he is proud to be a parent of students who graduated from MCSD, and pointed out he currently still has two enrolled.
“It is going to take everyone coming together for the education of our children. This is not an obstacle but an opportunity to come together, collaborate, and ensure MCSD students get the best education,” Johnson said.
State Rep. Jackie Hayes was also in attendance and relied on his former coaching days to welcome the district’s new leader.
“Change is not easy, but change was needed. I’m always looking in the windshield and never back,” said Hayes. He added that as a former educator himself, he knows the education process is tough. “But we are all in this together,” he added.
Former school board member Ms. Nikki Lynn Pruitt said she was thrilled to welcome the new superintendent. “The room was electric with excitement and anticipation for what is to come for our students here in Marlboro, said Pruitt, adding, “It truly is a new day for Marlboro… Philippians 3:13 ‘Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.’”
In a social media post following the event, County Councilman Verd Odom stated, “Great community welcome for State Superintendent Ellen Weaver and new incoming MCSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth McDonald.”
State Superintendent of Schools Ellen Weaver also came to welcome and praise the district’s new education leader.
She said, “Students are never going to get a second shot at a great education. You will get passion and vision with Dr. McDonald who has led at a district level.” Weaver went on to highlight McDonald’s experience working hands on in the classroom as a teacher.
“She’s done the work,” Weaver added. “She knows the main thing is the magic that happens in the classroom between teacher and student every day.”
For her part, McDonald says students are worth the work.
“We need to lean into learning together. Moving forward together means it is going to take everyone inside this room and outside of this room to make change happen.”
She went on to say she has high expectations for MCSD students.
“I have high expectations because our students deserve high expectations. They deserve a community that believes in them as well. We need people who are willing to ask: How can I help? This is our community,” McDonald said. She added that she believes in five years Marlboro County can expect to see a transformed, vibrant education system that graduates success stories rather than alarming statistics.
“We need to be honest about the work ahead, but I am so happy, excited, hopeful, and ready to learn from our community,” says McDonald, who also announced her family has closed on a home inside the district and this year her own children will be enrolled in the MCSD.
“I’m ready to go to work,” McDonald declared.
The first day of school for Marlboro County schools was Wednesday, July 29. The theme for the 2026–2027 school year is It’s a New Day in Marlboro: Where Hope Rises, The Sun Shines!