Education Archives - GREENVILLE JOURNAL https://greenvillejournal.com/category/education/ We Inform. We Connect. We Inspire. Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:01:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://greenvillejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/cropped-Greenville-Journal_favicon_no-circle-32x32.jpg Education Archives - GREENVILLE JOURNAL https://greenvillejournal.com/category/education/ 32 32 Greenville County Schools, Greenville Tech sign welding space agreement https://greenvillejournal.com/greenville-county-schools/greenville-county-schools-greenville-tech-sign-welding-space-agreement/ Sun, 07 Jun 2026 09:00:13 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=381514 An average of 300 students apply for the school district’s welding program each year.

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Greenville County Schools plans to expand its welding program through a new partnership with Greenville Technical College. 

The two educational institutions signed an agreement on June 4, allowing the school district to use welding space at the college’s Brashier Campus in Simpsonville. The space formerly housed Greenville Tech’s welding program. It will be used by the school district’s Golden Strip Career Center starting the 2026-27 school year. 

High school students will be able to complete two years of welding classes on the Brashier Campus with access to hands-on class activities at Greenville Tech’s new Center for Welding and Automation Excellence. The college’s welding program will move into the new 44,000-square-foot facility in August. 

“By partnering with the district to use our former welding space, we expand access to welding education and give students a seamless way to follow pathways that advance their professional credentials and earnings,” said Larry Miller, president of Greenville Technical College. 

An average of 300 students apply for the school district’s welding program each year. GCS currently has 100 welding booths across its four career centers. Greenville Tech’s former welding space will provide 120 additional booths, plus the 300 booths created by the new Center for Welding and Automation Excellence. 

This partnership represents a 350% increase in the school district’s welding program capacity to help address the ongoing workforce shortage of welding technicians. According to GCS, there are currently 400,000 welding job openings nationwide. 

By expanding access to welding education at a time when skilled trades are critically important to our economy, we are creating more opportunities for students to graduate with valuable industry credentials, college credit and clear pathways to high-demand, high-wage careers,” said Superintendent Burke Royster. 

In April, GCS Board of Trustees authorized the transfer of $455,000 from the district’s general fund for one-time facility upgrades and five-year operating costs to use Greenville Tech’s welding space. The board also authorized the lease agreement for the space at its regular meeting on May 26.

Students in 10th through 12th grade at any of the district’s 15 high schools are eligible to take the new welding course at Greenville Tech’s Brashier Campus. One morning and one afternoon course will be available, serving 20 students in each session.  

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Photos: Legacy Early College Class of 2026 graduation https://greenvillejournal.com/photos-videos/photos-legacy-early-college-class-of-2026-graduation/ Fri, 29 May 2026 20:58:52 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=381552 Of 89 graduates, 81 accepted college offers at institutions including Davidson, Clemson, Furman and the University of South Carolina.

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Legacy Early College held its Class of 2026 commencement May 21 at Bob Jones University.
Of 89 graduates, 81 accepted college offers at institutions including Davidson, Clemson, Furman and the University of South Carolina.

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Clemson University selects Kevin Guskiewicz as next president https://greenvillejournal.com/education/clemson-university-selects-kevin-guskiewicz-as-next-president/ Wed, 27 May 2026 18:00:38 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=381476 Clemson’s Board of Trustees formally selected Guskiewicz during a special called meeting held May 27

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Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz has been named the next president of Clemson University. 

Clemson’s Board of Trustees formally selected Guskiewicz during a special-called meeting held May 27. He received a five-year contract with a $1.2 million base salary from the university. Guskiewicz will succeed longtime president James P. Clements, who retired in December 2025 after 12 years at the university. 

“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful to accept the opportunity to serve as Clemson University’s 16th president,” Guskiewicz said. “To be entrusted with leading a university as respected, ambitious and beloved as Clemson is both humbling and inspiring.”

Guskiewicz brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education to Clemson. He has served as Michigan State’s president since March 2024 and was the chancellor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2019 to 2024. According to Clemson, he represented both institutions through leadership roles in various national higher education, research and civic organizations. 

In addition to his leadership experience, Guskiewicz is a renowned neuroscientist and researcher in sports medicine. In 2022, he received the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship for his work surrounding sports-related concussions. Guskiewicz said Clemson has the opportunity to further elevate its research enterprise and national profile. 

“Clemson is a university with tremendous momentum,” Guskiewicz said. “It’s already considered an outstanding public research university, but what excites me most is its potential for what comes next.”

The search for Clemson’s new president began in December. A presidential search committee was formed by the university’s board, which worked with Funk Associates, a Texas-based higher education leadership recruitment firm.

Search Committee Chair Cheri Phyfer said in-person conversations were conducted with the university’s various constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders, to help guide the search process. She explained that Guskiewicz was selected from a strong and talented pool of candidates. 

“Dr. Guskiewicz brings authenticity, steadiness and a genuine kindness to his leadership style,” Phyfer said. “He brings both vision and humility to the role, and we are confident his leadership will guide us to even greater heights.”

According to Clemson, Guskiewicz’s official start date is still being finalized. Guskiewicz said he anticipates starting sometime in August to help ensure a smooth transition for Michigan State University. 

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Furman president to step down at end of 2026-27 academic year https://greenvillejournal.com/education/furman-president-stepping-down-at-end-of-2026-27-academic-year/ Mon, 18 May 2026 15:49:48 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380991 Davis became Furman University's first female president in 2014, and she has overseen the launch a number of important initiatives.

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Furman University President Elizabeth Davis will end her 12-year tenure as the university’s first female president at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.

In a message to the campus community released May 18, Davis described taking on the university’s top leadership role in 2014 as the opportunity of a lifetime. She also characterized the timing of her decision as appropriate as the university celebrates its 200th anniversary and looks to the future.

“As we celebrate our 200th year and look toward our third century, it’s the right time to begin a leadership transition. Furman has never been stronger,” Davis said in the statement.”The world needs Furman University, and I’m convinced our third century will be the best yet.”

Under her leadership, Furman has risen in the U.S. News & World Report national liberal arts college rankings and has been named a “Most Innovative School” for eight consecutive years.

A number of initiatives were begun under Davis’ leadership, including:

  • The Furman Advantage. Launched in 2016, it guarantees every student a personalized, four-year pathway pairing classroom learning with research, internships, study away and community-engaged experiences, backed by sustained mentorship from faculty and staff. The Furman Advantage has received more than $78.9 million in support from The Duke Endowment.
  • Clearly Furman. The fundraising campaign launched in 2023 with a goal of $426 million. The initiative has surpassed that and is on track to conclude in June 2026 having raised more than $500 million.
  • Seeking Abraham. Furman’s reckoning with its historical ties to slavery, which has been recognized nationally.

Furman’s Board of Trustees is expected to establish a presidential search committee made up of trustees and representatives from faculty, staff, students and alumni to seek a replacement for Davis.

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Middle Tyger nonprofit child care facility to open in August https://greenvillejournal.com/education/middle-tyger-nonprofit-child-care-facility-to-open-in-august/ Mon, 18 May 2026 12:43:54 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380764 The nonprofit organization recently launched a community campaign to raise the final $1 million needed for the project.

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Middle Tyger Community Center, a nonprofit organization, plans to open the doors of its new child care center in Spartanburg County in August. 

Construction began on the Middle Tyger Education Center at 101 S. Danzler Road in Duncan in April 2025. The two-story facility will expand the nonprofit organization’s child care program to meet the growing needs of the community. The program, called This Is My Child, currently has a three year waiting list. 

“What we have right here in (Spartanburg) District Five is what we call a child care desert. We do not have enough child care to match the industry and residential demand,” said Haley Grau, executive director of Middle Tyger Community Center. 

Approximately 60 children are served at Middle Tyger Community Center’s existing facility in Lyman. The new child care center will accommodate 265 children ages 6 weeks through 4K. Twenty-five early care and education jobs will be created to staff the new center. 

Read more about the Middle Tyger Education Center

Middle Tyger Education Center wings

The Middle Tyger Education Center will consist of 17 classrooms spread across a preschool wing and an infant wing. Six observation rooms for educators and parents will be connected to the classrooms. Each wing will have five playgrounds shared between two classrooms. 

The 42,000-square-foot center will also feature a multi-purpose room, therapy rooms, an indoor play area, gathering spaces, training rooms, administrative offices, an outdoor classroom and an outdoor amphitheater. Designated office space for Spartanburg District Five will be located on the facility’s second floor. 

Public and private partners contributed $19 million to build the new Middle Tyger Education Center. Middle Tyger Community Center spent the past year raising an additional $6 million for expenses related to the new campus, such as staff salaries and new equipment. The nonprofit organization recently launched a community campaign to raise the final $1 million needed for the project.

“Now we’re in the fun part,” Grau said. “Now we get to bring in community individuals to have the chance to partner with us at levels that are affordable to everyone over multi-year giving to sponsor things like classroom libraries, science centers, playground installations.”

The Middle Tyger Education Center is currently scheduled to open Aug. 19. Child care applications are now being accepted for the 2026-27 school year. For more information, visit middletyger.org/mtec



Cost breakdown

Total investment: $25 million 

Building and property: $19 million

Additional expenses: $6 million

  • $2 million for early education training and continuing education hubs
  • $1 million for mental health counseling expansion
  • $1.5 million for outdoor playscapes and family engagement space
  • $1.5 million for capacity building and operational support 

***

Fast fact

The Middle Tyger Education Center is expected to expand child care and education access by more than 300% in Spartanburg District Five. 

***

Public-private partners

  • SEW Eurodrive
  • AFL
  • Greater Than Us
  • State of South Carolina
  • Spartanburg District Five
  • Mary Black Foundation
  • Founders Federal Credit Union
  • Spartanburg Academic Movement
  • Contec Inc.
  • Engineered Systems Inc.
  • Renfrow Industrial
  • SJWD Water District
  • Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

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Greenville Senior High students create mural at Augusta Road McDonald’s https://greenvillejournal.com/greenville-county-schools/greenville-senior-high-students-create-mural-at-augusta-road-mcdonalds/ Sat, 16 May 2026 18:00:32 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380889 The first part of the mural depicting Greenville Senior High and Fluor Field was unveiled on May 14.

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Greenville Senior High School students designed and painted a new mural for the McDonald’s location on Augusta Road. 

Students in the high school’s Advanced Art class were assigned to create a large-scale mural of well-known Greenville landmarks featuring McDonaldland characters. Mark Brosseau, art teacher at Greenville Senior High School, said the project required research, planning, revision and execution by the students. 

“They needed to research some of the historical McDonald’s advertising slogans and the characters that were used as part of their campaigns,” Brosseau said. “Then they had to research and decide on iconic Greenville locations to place these characters in and design murals that captured the joy and nostalgia that these places and characters evoke.”

The first part of the mural depicting Greenville Senior High and Fluor Field was unveiled on May 14. Students will complete the second half of the mural in the fall, featuring The Children’s Museum of the Upstate. Anne Wells Lowery, a junior at Greenville Senior High, said it means so much to have a mural displaying her artwork. 

“I have always loved doing art for myself and others, so the opportunity to make artwork that will be seen by so many is so special,” Wells Lowery said. “I also live in the neighborhood where this McDonald’s is located, so being able to drive past my work every day will be amazing. I’m so grateful and excited for this opportunity.” 

Leo Medina, owner and operator of the Augusta Road McDonald’s, said he was proud to host a project that showcases the talent and spirit of Greenville Senior High students. The mural is located behind the fast-food restaurant at 2200 Augusta Road. 

“We wanted to create a space that celebrates both our local heritage and the creativity of our youth,” Medina said. “The wall behind our Augusta Road location was the perfect blank slate. I can’t wait to see how these talented students reimagine these classic characters for our neighbors to enjoy.” 

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Tri-County Tech, Clemson offer new dual-enrollment program https://greenvillejournal.com/education/tri-county-tech-clemson-offer-new-dual-enrollment-program/ Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:52 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380928 The new dual-enrollment academy offers a path for high school students in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens school districts to earn a degree at Clemson University.

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Thirty-five high school students are participating in the inaugural cohort of Tri-County Technical College Dual Enrollment Academy-Clemson Connect. 

The new dual-enrollment academy offers a path for high school students in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens school districts to earn a degree at Clemson University. TCTC held a signing event on May 13 to celebrate the academy’s inaugural cohort.

TCTC President Galen DeHay said the first-of-its-kind academy was designed to expand access to higher education for students who may be the first in their family to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

“These 35 students are set to embark on an incredible academic journey, one that starts with an exceptional learning experience at Tri-County and leads to a guaranteed path to earning a bachelor’s degree at Clemson University,” DeHay said. 

The TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy-Clemson Connect was announced in April 2025 and launched in spring 2026. The TCTC Foundation hosted a gala in February to support the new academy and has raised $295,500 to date. 

According to TCTC, students are recruited for the academy during their sophomore year of high school and take dual-enrollment courses through the technical college. The inaugural cohort completed their first college course, College Skills 103, this spring.

Students in the dual enrollment academy’s inaugural cohort are expected to matriculate at Clemson in fall 2028. They are required to earn a 3.0 GPA or higher in all college courses and a 4.0 GPA or higher in all high school courses.

Sean Brittain, associate provost and dean of undergraduate learning at Clemson, said the university is committed to providing high-achieving students with meaningful pathways to a bachelor’s degree. 

“This new academy embodies that commitment,” Brittain said. “It creates a bridge that begins here at Tri-County, strengthens students academically and personally, and ultimately leads them to Clemson University prepared and confident.”

For more information, visit tctc.edu/programs/transition-programs-resources/dual-enrollment/dual-enrollment-options/dual-enrollment-academy.



Inaugural cohort 

Here is the list of high school students who signed to join the TCTC Dual Enrollment Academy-Clemson Connect.

Anderson County

Crescent High School

  • Austin Alexander
  • Camden Goldsmith
  • Bailey Hayes
  • Jacob Innes
  • Savannah McClain
  • Ryleigh Rowland
  • James Rutledge

 Powdersville High School

  • Kaden Barnes
  • Ashley Garcia
  • Stavros Hatzidakis
  • Natalia Lopez
  • Jordan Martinez

T.L. Hanna High School

  • Melissa Cordero-Castaneda
  • Montez Dial
  • Tristan McCauley
  • M’Kenzie Saylors
  • Baya Sheriff
  • Sophia Yatsenyuk

Westside High School

  • Rogelio Montes Sanchez

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Oconee County

Seneca High School

  • Aliah Breazeale
  • Ashantee Buckner
  • Arnett Cobb
  • Emma Swaney

Walhalla High School

  • Noah Burroughs
  • Henry Carrillo
  • Weston Hardin
  • Bentley Kaliski
  • Gregory Pelfrey
  • Waylon Pitts
  • Melody Schultz

West-Oak High School

  • Chase Sullivan

***

Pickens County

Liberty High School

  • Ashley Jimenez
  • Abigail Thayer

Pickens High School

  • Norah Brown
  • Jadon Trotter

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Center for Welding and Automation Excellence to open this fall https://greenvillejournal.com/branded-content/center-for-welding-and-automation-excellence-to-open-this-fall-greenville-technical-college/ Thu, 14 May 2026 01:00:11 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=379756 “This center aligns directly with the college’s mission,” said Kelvin Byrd, chief economic development officer at Greenville Tech. “We’re talking about a hub for advanced manufacturing and a hub for students to learn.”

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Innovation meets real-world training this fall as Greenville Technical College opens the Center for Welding and Automation Excellence on its Brashier Campus. With a longstanding reputation for workforce development, the college is strengthening its commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers.

“This center aligns directly with the college’s mission,” said Kelvin Byrd, chief economic development officer at Greenville Tech. “We’re talking about a hub for advanced manufacturing and a hub for students to learn.”

The center represents a significant investment designed to meet the evolving needs of Upstate employers, reinforcing Greenville Tech’s role as a pipeline for skilled workers while expanding access to technical education.

A Workforce-Driven Vision

Regional employers and industry partners helped shape the center’s development, ensuring programs reflect current workforce needs. By aligning education with employer expectations, the college equips graduates with applied technical skills companies are actively seeking.

A Direct Pathway from Classroom to Career

At the core of the new center is immersive learning — an essential approach to success in welding and related fields.

“Hands-on training in welding is everything,” said Casey Ross, Greenville Tech’s academic program director for welding.

The facility will offer expanded lab space, modernized equipment and training environments that mirror industrial settings. Welding Department Head Terrance Shearn said graduates will be workforce-ready from day one.

“They’ll be able to go into the industry right after graduation and start working with little to no additional training needed,” Shearn said.

Expanding Reach and Career Pathways

The center will expand Greenville Tech’s reach for students pursuing careers in welding and advanced manufacturing. Space constraints have limited enrollment, but the new facility increases the college’s footprint and infrastructure.

“We look forward to offering the first AI-powered welding lab in the nation while doubling enrollment to meet industry demand,” said Greenville Tech President Dr. Larry Miller. “Highly skilled graduates will be ready to work for companies including Fluor, Vermeer MV Solutions, Lockheed Martin, GE Vernova and other leading employers.”

Beyond Welding: Advanced Technologies and Innovation

While welding remains the core focus, the center will support a broader range of advanced manufacturing skills, including non-destructive testing (NDT), robotic welding and automation technologies now standard across production environments.

By bringing these technologies together, the college is positioning students to compete in a sector shaped by automation, precision inspection and other modern practices.

“This facility will allow us to offer advanced technology that no other facility is offering at this time in this region,” Byrd said.

A Transformative Step for the Upstate

Many see the center as a milestone for the community. College officials expect it to strengthen ties with local industry and support continued regional growth.

Combining industry-aligned curriculum, applied training and advanced technology, Greenville Tech will prepare students for immediate employment and long-term careers in a rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape.

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Riverside High student wins national welding competition https://greenvillejournal.com/greenville-county-schools/riverside-high-student-wins-national-welding-competition/ Tue, 12 May 2026 15:01:08 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380803 Dylan Smith, a senior at Riverside High School in Greer, recently took home first place at the 2026 Tulsa Welding School National Welding Competition.

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Dylan Smith, a senior at Riverside High School in Greer, recently took home first place at the 2026 Tulsa Welding School National Welding Competition.

Hundreds of students across the Southeast competed at the skilled trade school in Jacksonville, Florida, on April 11. Competitors rotated through technical welding stations and were judged based on their precision, craftsmanship and real-world welding skills.

“It was an incredible day showcasing the best and brightest young people competing in welding,” says Lisa Nucci, campus president at TWS Jacksonville. “We are proud of all who completed, the ones who placed and especially our top two winners who earned scholarships to attend TWS Jacksonville.”

For his win, Smith received welding equipment and a $23,000 scholarship to attend any program at TWS Jacksonville, including welding, HVAC or electrical. Smith is part of the welding program at the J. Harrley Bonds Career Center in Greer. 

According to Greenville County Schools, seven students from J. Harley Bonds Career Center competed in the 2026 event. Along with Smith, four other students finished in the Top 20 at the competition:

  • Michael Powell, Blue Ridge High School, third place
  • Evan Keller, Eastside High School, 13th place
  • Dominick Salamone, Riverside High School, 14th place
  • Christopher Zamora Fuentes, Greenville High School, 17th place

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Matrix Construction donates $5K to Lead Academy https://greenvillejournal.com/education/matrix-construction-donates-5k-to-lead-academy/ Sun, 10 May 2026 12:00:05 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380746 The initiative aims to address the public charter school’s transportation challenges caused by frequent breakdowns of its diesel buses.

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Anderson-based Matrix Construction recently provided a $5,000 donation towards Lead Academy’s electric bus initiative. 

The initiative aims to address the public charter school’s transportation challenges caused by frequent breakdowns of its diesel buses. In 2025, Lead Academy was awarded a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to replace two diesel buses with new electric buses. The new electric buses are expected to arrive at Lead Academy in Greenville by the end of the year.  

“Our new buses aren’t just transportation, they’re opportunities on wheels,” said Curtis Baker, principal of Lead Academy. “They open the door for learning beyond the classroom through more field trips, real-world experiences and lasting memories for our students.”

Approximately $14,000 remains to be raised for the school’s electric bus initiative. Lead Academy is also raising an additional $40,000 to install electric charging stations for the buses. 

Matrix Construction previously worked with Lead Academy to construct a 47,000-square-foot facility for the school and a 17,500-square-foot gymnasium and classroom addition. Hew King, president and co-founder of Matrix Construction, said the company’s goal is to contribute to environments where students can succeed both inside and outside the classroom. 

“We believe in the bigger picture, what we build and how we give back should ultimately improve lives,” King said.

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Greenville County Schools proposes $989M budget with no tax increase https://greenvillejournal.com/greenville-county-schools/greenville-county-schools-proposes-989m-budget-with-no-tax-increase/ Tue, 05 May 2026 17:57:35 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380145 According to GCS, this will be the fifth time in 11 years that the school district’s millage has not been raised. 

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Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees approved the first reading of the $989.4 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2027 on May 5. 

The recommended budget for next fiscal year, which starts July 1, does not include a tax increase. According to GCS, this will be the fifth time in 11 years that the school district’s millage has not been raised. 

Superintendent Burke Royster explained that the general fund budget provides the resources to employ and retain the quality personnel needed to support the district’s students. Teachers are expected to receive a $2,550 salary increase based on the recommended FY27 budget, a jump from the $2,450 initially proposed at the budget workshop in April.  

Each teacher would also get a salary step increase. A 38th step is proposed to be added to the teacher salary schedule, which determines an educator’s salary based on their years of experience. All other employees are expected to receive a $3.5% salary increase or a step increase, whichever is greater.  

Two new line items in the recommended budget adjust the salaries of the district’s principals and assistant principals. The budget includes $136,000 to add an additional $1,000 to the principal salary schedule after the 3.5% increase is applied. Funding has also been budgeted to adjust the salary schedule and increase the entry-level pay for assistant principals. 

Royster explained that the entry-level salaries for assistant principals currently sit slightly below or barely above the average teacher salary. He said the recommended changes would create an appropriate gap between the annual salary of a classroom teacher and that of an assistant principal. It would also create more distance between the annual salaries of assistant principals and principals. 

“Increasing the competitiveness for assistant principal and principal pay is important,” Royster said. “At the school level, while a teacher … has the deepest impact on student achievement, a principal, a quality principal, has the broadest impact on student achievement.”

Special education funding

The proposed budget also emphasizes expanding the school district’s special education services and personnel. Funding has been budgeted for GCS to hire four special education specialists, 10 special education aides, three behavior specialists, five behavior support liaisons, one school psychologist and one occupational therapist. The salaries of 15 existing mental health counselors in the school system would also be covered in the recommended budget. 

The school district plans to adjust the salary scale for special education aides, raising the hourly pay range to $20 to $23.50. In addition, special education aide substitutes are anticipated to receive a 6% pay increase, raising the hourly rate to $17.46.

A  new state-mandated line item was also added to the district’s recommended budget regarding the proposed changes to paid parental leave legislation in South Carolina. The amendment would double the paid parental leave for primary caregivers working for the school district to twelve weeks and for co-parents to four weeks. 

The school district has set aside $1.6 million to fund these potential changes if the state General Assembly passes the amended legislation without additional state funding. Royster said that if the legislation does not pass, the district intends to bring back a recommendation to the school board to use the budgeted funding to further increase the pay for teachers and other employees. 

Other expenditures in the proposed FY27 general fund budget include:

  • $1.36 million for the increase in state health insurance premiums for July to December 2026
  • $955,000 for salary increases for teachers who attain an additional degree or a certificate upgrade
  • $707,000 for 15 permanent substitute teacher positions at schools struggling to fill teacher absences
  • $673,000 for increases to existing service and supply contract costs
  • $617,000 to fund additional teacher and instructional aide positions at Reedy Laurel Elementary
  • $335,000 for transportation technology costs due to loss of federal E-Rate funding
  • $262,000 to increase substitute teacher pay by 6%
  • $262,000 for district property and liability insurance premiums 
  • $258,000 for existing academic contract costs
  • $111,000 for bus driver compensation based on years of experience

GCS plans to realign staffing positions for the upcoming school year in response to the projected reduction in student enrollment. The staffing adjustments are reflected in the proposed budget as a $15.5 million reduction in personnel costs. The recommended budget also includes reductions regarding changes to athletic trainer fees, the international teachers program and the wireless service provider. 

A public hearing for the school district’s FY27 general fund budget will be held at 6 p.m. on June 1. The second and final reading of the budget will be held following the public hearing at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit greenville.k12.sc.us/News/main.asp?titleid=2605budget.

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Greenville’s Meyer Center to launch new 4K Inclusion Program https://greenvillejournal.com/news/greenvilles-meyer-center-to-launch-new-4k-inclusion-program/ Fri, 01 May 2026 11:00:57 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380305 The new program invites typically developing four-year-olds to learn alongside children with disabilities at the special education and therapy school located at 1132 Rutherford Road.

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The Meyer Center for Special Children plans to launch a new 4K Inclusion Program for children without disabilities in August. 

The new program invites typically developing four-year-olds to learn alongside children with disabilities at the special education and therapy school located at 1132 Rutherford Road in Greenville. It will have limited enrollment to 12 children.

Meta Hendricks, executive director of the Meyer Center, said inclusive settings don’t take anything away from children without disabilities but add to them. According to the Meyer Center, the new program will help to improve typically developing children’s social-emotional skills, cognitive growth, kindergarten readiness and confidence.

“We’re offering Greenville families access to a truly unique kindergarten preparation experience, grounded in decades of proven best practice and led by one of the most skilled early childhood education teams in the Upstate,” Hendricks said. 

The 4K Inclusion Program will mirror a typical kindergarten schedule led by a certified childhood educator and teaching assistant. 

In addition to whole-group and individual instruction, the students will participate in academic and social activities with students with disabilities during integrated learning blocks. According to the Meyer Center, the program allows students with disabilities to practice communication, social interaction and independence.

“For years, we have prepared our students for inclusion in their zoned schools, but they’ve had to make that leap without ever having practiced it here,” Hendricks said. “This program changes that. Our students get to demonstrate what they’re capable of alongside same-age peers, in the place they know and trust most. That is a genuine game-changer for them.”

The Meyer Center received a $200,000 grant from Pacolet Milliken to launch the new 4K Inclusion Program. William Crawford, CEO of Pacolet Milliken, said the company is proud to support the Meyer Center in its innovative approach to helping children develop a broad range of skills, such as learning patience and empathy for one another. 

The Meyer Center is now accepting applications for the 4K Inclusion Program, which will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible students must be four years old by Sept. 1, 2026, be residents of South Carolina and not have special education services required at the time of enrollment. 

Tuition for the program will be $220 per week or $792 per month for 10 months. For more information, visit meyercenter.org/admissions-2

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SC’s top teacher receives Upstate-built BMW https://greenvillejournal.com/education/2027-sc-teacher-of-the-year-receives-new-bmw/ Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:40:18 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380210 BMW Manufacturing, the program’s premier sponsor, presented Pallandio with the keys to a new X5 sDrive40i during the annual event. 

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Christie Palladino, a biomedical sciences teacher at Aiken County Career and Technology Center, was named the 2027 South Carolina Teacher of the Year.

She was honored at the South Carolina Department of Education’s Gala in the Garden at the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia on April 23. BMW Manufacturing, the program’s premier sponsor, presented Pallandio with the keys to a brand-new BMW at the annual event. 

Palladino will drive the new 2026 BMW X5 sDrive40i across the state over the next year as South Carolina’s public education ambassador. Max Metcalf, manager of government and community relations at BMW Manufacturing, said great educators help shape South Carolina’s future. 

“Dr. Palladino’s hands-on approach to biomedical sciences reflects the kind of learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and career pathways,” Metcalf said. “We’re proud to support the Teacher of the Year program as part of our broader commitment to education and workforce development.”

The BMW Group has invested nearly $16 billion in its operations in South Carolina since 1992. BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is located along Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County.

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Legacy Early College founder William Brown awarded Order of the Palmetto https://greenvillejournal.com/education/legacy-early-college-founder-william-brown-awarded-order-of-the-palmetto/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:21:43 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=379839 The Order of the Palmetto recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary achievement and service to the community and state. 

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William Brown, founder and CEO of Legacy Early College, was awarded South Carolina’s highest civilian honor on April 24. 

State Rep. Bruce Bannister presented the Order of the Palmetto to Brown on behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster during Legacy Early College’s Senior Signing Day. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate extraordinary achievement and service to the community and state. 

“I am humbled and deeply grateful for this recognition,” Brown said. “But the real honor is watching our scholars announce where they are going to college. That is what this work has always been about.”

Brown founded Legacy Early College in 2009 to help underserved youth living in the communities of West Greenville prepare for and succeed in college. It has become the largest Title 1 school in Greenville, serving 1,700 Pre-K through 12th-grade students across multiple campuses. 

The public charter school has achieved a 97% graduation rate and a 94% college acceptance rate under Brown’s leadership. Legacy Early College is currently completing a $25 million capital campaign for its new 55-acre campus on Marion Road, scheduled to open in fall 2027. 

Seabrook Marchant, owner of Marchant Real Estate, nominated Brown for the Order of the Palmetto. He said if anyone was deserving of this honor, it was Brown.

“Greenville should be proud of what he’s done and what we’ve got here and the fact that the people that are served by him are going to go on to be well-rounded, productive people in society and leaders in the community,” Marchant said.

Brown worked as a CPA before focusing his efforts on helping educate Greenville’s youth. He is one of the first people in the country to earn the title of Personal Finance Specialist. In 1997, Brown opened his first CPA firm in Greenville. He founded Family Legacy Inc., an investment advisory firm, in 1995. Brown was also a high school basketball coach for a period of time.

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Clemson University board approves new academic department, initiative, degrees https://greenvillejournal.com/education/clemson-university-board-approves-new-academic-department-initiative-degrees/ Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:55:44 +0000 https://greenvillejournal.com/?p=380048 The four new degree programs include a master’s degree in computational genetics and genomics, and bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in AI.

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The Clemson University Board of Trustees announced April 23 it approved the creation of an academic department, an initiative and four new degree programs.

The Lyceum is an academic department for the program currently housed in the Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism. The department works to provide structure and visibility for the program as well as to support enrollment and degree growth. It will also enhance faculty hiring, curriculum development, and degree pathways for majors and minors.

The Clemson University National Security Institute is an initiative to drive innovation and prepare the next generation of military talent. The program will use research, workforce development and strategic partnerships to strengthen U.S. defense readiness and fuel technologies.

The four new degree programs include a master’s degree in computational genetics and genomics, and bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in artificial intelligence.

The board also approved several upcoming construction projects, including renovations to the ground floor of Long Hall and the Agriculture Service Laboratory; upgrades to power infrastructure at the Poole Clemson Computing and Information Technology facility; and construction of a Poultry Science Research Facility at the Piedmont Research and Education Center.

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