York School District names three superintendent finalists with South Carolina ties
York School District on Tuesday announced three finalists for its next superintendent — all of whom have ties to South Carolina.
The school board voted to approve Heath Branham, Shane Goodwin and Rodney Graves as finalists after a round of interviews in late April. Community members will have a chance to talk to them at a meet and greet on Tuesday, May 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Harold C Johnson Elementary School. They’ll tour schools and meet with staff during the day.
“The board is pleased to present three highly qualified candidates for this crucial leadership position,” board chair Scott Childers said in a news release. “The board looks forward to the next phase in the search process.”
Branham is the principal at Centerville Elementary School in Gilbert, a small town near Columbia in Lexington County. He’s held leadership roles in school districts and education companies.
He began his career as a teacher before becoming the principal of multiple elementary schools. Lexington District One promoted him to director of elementary schools before he became the senior vice president over South Carolina’s school turnaround program for the South Carolina Department of Education and EdisonLearning, a for-profit educational service provider.
Branham later became the national director of school improvement for EdisonLearning, where he worked with schools and districts across the country, and the director of academic operations for Wake Forest Advantage before returning to a principal role.
Goodwin is an assistant superintendent for Frederick County Public Schools in Winchester, Virginia. He oversees a range of principals and departments.
This wouldn’t be Goodwin’s first time in the Palmetto State: He spent 22 years of his career working in the Rock Hill School District as a principal, assistant principal, program teacher and classroom teacher. Goodwin has also worked as a director of human resources and communication and an assistant principal in Virginia.
Graves is the director of employee and community relations for Lancaster County School District. He’s also served as a principal, assistant principal, athletic director and coach.
Graves has received multiple statewide awards for his leadership, including the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association Principal of the Year in 2018 and various other teacher and principal of the year recognitions.
The successful candidate will replace outgoing superintendent Kelly Coxe, who announced in February that she would retire at the end of the school year. She has held the position since 2019.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 12:43 PM.
