Overview of New Principals

Superintendent Rodriguez expressed his excitement about the appointments, underlining the vital role school leaders play in shaping successful districts. The four appointees – Jamie Allen, Brantley Wilson, Sonji Leach, and Keith Stewart – bring with them a wealth of experience, a deep understanding of the importance of fostering a culture of academic excellence, and a commitment to student success.

Jamie Allen

Appointed as the new principal for Broad River Elementary School, Jamie Allen replaces Constance Goodwine-Lewis, who is moving to St. Helena Elementary. Allen, a Beaufort County School District veteran with over 18 years of service, started her career as a third-grade teacher at Broad River Elementary. Her career trajectory within the district includes roles such as literacy interventionist, TAP mentor/master teacher, and assistant principal. Allen, an alum of the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB), holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in literacy from Lesley University.

Brantley Wilson

Brantley Wilson will be taking over from Allen as the principal of Whale Branch Middle School. Wilson began his educational journey at the Beaufort Jasper Academy for Career Excellence. Over the years, he has taken on various roles, from assistant principal to student services assistant, demonstrating a rich and diverse experience in education. Wilson holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education.

Sonji Leach

The new principal of Whale Branch Early College High School is Sonji Leach. Previously serving as an assistant principal at Beaufort High School, Leach has an extensive background in education administration, with principal roles in Georgia schools and other administrative positions in Columbia. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University in Atlanta.

Keith Stewart

Finally, Keith Stewart, former assistant principal, has been appointed as principal for Bluffton Middle School. Stewart began his educational career as a physical education teacher and served in several schools in the district. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina.

The Appointment Process

The district reported that the principals were chosen after a rigorous selection process. Interview committees, comprising teacher leaders, feeder/cluster principals, School Improvement Council members, among others, evaluated the candidates. Ratings from each interview were submitted to Superintendent Rodriguez for the final decision and submission to the Board of Education.