IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five has named Dr. Gerald Gary as the new principal at Dutch Fork High School beginning in the 2017-18 school year. Gary will replace Dr. Greg Owings, who is retiring June 30.
“I will certainly miss my staff and students at Dutch Fork Middle, but I am excited for this new opportunity to work with the students and community at Dutch Fork High School,” Gary said. “Together, we will continue the strong tradition of educational excellence at District Five.”
Gary has served as the principal of Dutch Fork Middle School for the past four years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Francis Marion University in 1998, a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina in 2004 and a doctorate of education in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2007.
Gary began his career in education teaching eighth grade language arts at Blythewood Middle School in 1999. After three years there, Gary spent a year as lead teacher at Blythewood Academy and three years at Summit Parkway Middle School as an assistant principal. Before becoming principal at Dutch Fork Middle, Gary spent eight years as an elementary school principal in Kershaw County and at Leaphart Elementary in District Five.
Under the leadership of Gary, Dutch Fork Middle was named a 2017 Palmetto’s Finest School. Gary was also named South Carolina’s 2017 Middle Level Principal of the Year by SC Association of School Administrators (SCASA).
District Five Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner said of Dr. Gary, “When I knew Dr. Owings was planning to retire at the end of the school year, it was clear the next principal would have large shoes to fill. Dr. Gary is the perfect leader for this role and he has excelled in every position he’s been in. I am confident that Dutch Fork High School is in great hands and will have continued success in the future!”
