One of Fort Mill’s three high schools is looking for its next new principal

The principal of Fort Mill’s newest high school will take a new job this summer in Greenville.

Catawba Ridge High School principal Barry Ledford is leaving to take over J.L. Mann High School, according to an announcement from the Greenville-based school.

Ledford became principal at Catawba Ridge three years ago, becoming its third one since the school opened in 2019. He’d been assistant principal there prior. Ledford has ties to the Greenville area, having graduated from North Greenville University.

His departure opens the top administrative position at one of the top public schools in the state. Catawba Ridge received the highest school report card grade last fall among all traditional public high schools in South Carolina, just ahead of Fort Mill High. Those rankings include items from test scores to school culture feedback from students and parents.

Ledford will begin in his new role on July 1, according to J.L. Mann. The Fort Mill School District confirmed Ledford’s departure once this school year ends to the Herald. There’s not a set timeline for naming his replacement but the process will start soon, said school district spokesman Joe Burke.