Education roundup

New principals selected for two elementary schools
Beaufort County School District has named new principals for Red Cedar Elementary School and Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts for the 2026-27 school year.

Justin Vaughn, currently assistant principal at Red Cedar Elementary, will succeed Dr. Kathleen Corley following her retirement after a 47-year career in education. Vaughn has spent his entire educational career with the district, including more than a decade teaching first and second grades and serving as MTSS coordinator and math interventionist at Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of South Carolina Beaufort.

Dr. Staci Souhan, currently associate principal at Mounds View High School in Minnesota, was selected to lead Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts. She replaces Nikki Lucas, who has accepted a district-level position. Souhan previously served in leadership positions at Irondale High School, Turtle Lake Elementary and CE Jacobson and holds doctorate and master’s degrees in education from Hamline University.

“Every exceptional district has strong school leaders, and I’m excited to see these superb educators be successful in their new roles,” Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said.

Montessori program planned at Hilton Head Island center
Beaufort County School District will launch a Montessori program at Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

The program will serve prekindergarten and kindergarten students and will be open to all Beaufort County residents. District officials said the Montessori approach emphasizes hands-on learning, independence, responsibility and whole-child development through mixed-age classrooms.

Students enrolled at the center will have access to onsite after-school child care.

“This program is designed to inspire independence and academic growth while nurturing the whole child in a developmentally appropriate environment,” said Ashley Gould, the district’s director of readiness.

May River Elementary reaches construction milestone
Beaufort County School District planned a topping-out ceremony May 15 for the new May River Elementary School, marking installation of the final beam.

The school, funded through the district’s 2023 bond referendum, is being constructed on the May River High School campus. District officials said the facility will total 113,000 square feet and accommodate up to 800 students.

The school is scheduled to open for the 2027-28 academic year and will use the Manatees as its mascot.

Cross Schools adds preschool campuses

Cross Schools announced that operations of Lowcountry Day Christian Preschool at its two Red Cedar Street campuses became part of Cross Schools effective May 15.
The organizations said discussions regarding the transition began in late 2025 and concluded following six months of due diligence. Students will continue attending classes at their current campus locations.

Both schools have operated in the Bluffton area for more than 20 years, according to the announcement.

“The combination of these schools will continue to provide outstanding spiritual and academic growth opportunities for students and families throughout the greater Bluffton community,” the release said.

Royal Live Oaks hosts international math educators
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter School hosted six international math teachers from Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and India on April 21.
The visit was part of the Global Math Fellowship program, a partnership involving the Charter Institute at Erskine, the Kunskapsskolan Network and Teach Right USA. The initiative aims to improve mathematics outcomes in South Carolina by sharing instructional strategies from schools around the world.

The educators observed classrooms, exchanged ideas with teachers and students, and participated in discussions during their visit.

“Hosting these international fellows allows us to step outside our local perspective and see what is truly possible in math education,” CEO Dr. Karen Wicks said.