IRMO – Lexington-Richland School District Five trustees announced Monday that they have picked veteran educator Dr. Christina Melton to become the district’s next superintendent.
Melton, who is currently the district’s chief instructional officer, will serve as superintendent-elect through June 30, replacing Dr. Stephen Hefner who has announced that he will retirement at the end of the school year. The announcement was made during a Dec. 11 school board meeting.
“Dr. Melton is regarded as one of the best educational leaders in our state, and we are excited to name her the next superintendent of School District Five,” said Board Chairman Robert Gantt. “Naming her superintendent-elect helps us ensure the district’s continued success and a seamless transition from one extraordinary superintendent to the next.”
Melton’s career in education spans 23 years, the last nine years with District Five. She first served District Five as the principal at Nursery Road Elementary from 2007 to 2012 before taking on the director of elementary education role at the District Office. She was named chief instructional officer for District Five in March 2013, supervising the implementation and evaluation of staff development programs and ensuring district compliance with state standards, laws and regulations.
“It’s an incredible honor, and I am humbled by the responsibility of leading this great school district,” Melton said. “In District Five, the focus has and always will be on teaching and learning. My continued mission as superintendent will be on making a positive difference in the lives of children and teachers in our community. We have much to celebrate and much to look forward to in School District Five.”
Melton has been actively involved in several educational boards and organizations. She has served as chair of the South Carolina Council on Accreditation and School Improvement for the South Carolina Association of Colleges and Schools. She also sat on the board of directors for the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
Her awards and recognitions include: SCASA Administrator of the Year in 2016, the 2012
Superintendent’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and the 2012 Outstanding Contributions in Education Award by the South Carolina Association of School Psychologists. She was also named South Carolina Elementary Principal of the Year for 2011-2012.
“I have every confidence that Dr. Melton is well prepared to serve as the superintendent of District Five,” Hefner said. “She will provide both the continuity and stability needed to effect those changes which will move the District to even higher levels of success.