Education

Explore new leadership, choice, and policy changes shaping Rock Hill schools

Stories by Rock Hill Herald journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories highlights changes in York County school districts, including new leadership, revised policies, and shifts impacting students and families.

Readers will find details on Rock Hill’s open enrollment pilot for high schools, which gives some parents new options, and information about Deborah Elder’s contract as Rock Hill’s incoming superintendent. The articles also describe the rise in sports participation fees for Fort Mill students and the new environmental assessment of the Silfab Solar facility near Flint Hill Elementary. Coverage of the Limestone Charter Association’s closure explains what it means for charter schools like Legion Collegiate Academy in Rock Hill, while a breakdown of Heath Branham’s contract as York School District’s new superintendent completes the update on local school leadership.

Read the stories below.

The Fort Mill School District proposes a new budget that would raise taxes for business and property owners, but not on owner-occupied homes. By John Marks

NO. 1: WHY PARENTS IN FORT MILL SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL SOON PAY MORE FOR SPORTS

The district raised sports and band fees and revealed a new partnership to assess health risks posed by Silfab Solar. | Published June 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Sullivan

Limestone University’s campus in Gaffney, South Carolina.

NO. 2: AT LEAST 13 SC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN LIMBO AS LIMESTONE DISTRICT WILL CLOSE IN 2026

Limestone University’s charter school district will close after next school year and all of its schools will need to find new sponsors in wake of the private college’s recent decision to cease operations. | Published June 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Zak Koeske

The Lancaster County school board put a more than $588 million bond referendum to voters in November. It didn’t pass, leaving district officials in search of answers for what comes next. By Tracy Kimball

NO. 3: WHY SOME PARENTS ARE GETTING FREEDOM TO SEND KIDS TO ANY ROCK HILL HIGH SCHOOL

The new policy may only be the first part of an effort to boost “stagnant” enrollment. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Sullivan

Rock Hill School District selected Deborah Elder as its top choice for superintendent. Elder will undergo contract negotiations before the board votes to formally approve her for the position.

NO. 4: ROCK HILL SCHOOLS WILL PAY SUPERINTENDENT $275,000. HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS IN CONTRACT

Rock Hill School District approved Deborah Elder’s superintendent contract in May. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Sullivan

Heath Branham is the principal of Centerville Elementary School and a finalist for superintendent of York School District.

NO. 5: YORK SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PAY SUPERINTENDENT $200,000. HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS IN CONTRACT

York Schools selected Heath Branham to be its next superintendent. | Published June 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nick Sullivan

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.