New principals named at Guinyard-Butler

Guinyard-Butler Middle School (GBMS) has a new leadership team.

Michael Beasley is now the GBMS principal after previously serving as an assistant principal at Barnwell High. This is his 26th year in education, including his fifth at Barnwell District 45. He previously worked 21 years at Blackville-Hilda Public Schools, including as Blackville-Hilda High principal and athletic director.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with the students, staff parents, and community at Guinyard-Butler Middle School. Our staff will work to provide the best possible educational experiences for all stakeholders,” said Beasley.

He takes the reins from Denise James, who had been serving as interim principal following the departure of Jon Burdge in the middle of last school year. James has transitioned to the director of the district’s new Star Academy for the 2022-2023 school year, which will be an integral part of the middle-level offerings within the district.

“She has been working to prepare the rosters and schedules for the program, which will be housed on the GBMS campus. The Star Academy is a new school within a school program for selected middle school students that immerses students in core courses through a hands-on, project-based curriculum,” said Barnwell District 45 Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton.

As the new GBMS principal, Beasley said there are several goals that he wants to achieve:

• One goal is to build a team climate that motivates teachers and increases morale among the staff that will lead to excitement for student learning.

• A second goal is to increase parental involvement so that the student has total support through the learning process.

• A third goal is to assist with creating a positive school climate so that the faculty, staff, and students feel safe.

• A fourth goal is to create a team-centered atmosphere that encourages excellence in all academic areas.

“Mr. Beasley has been serving as an assistant principal at BHS and previously served as a high school principal and middle school principal prior to coming to BHS. Mr. Beasley also serves as the district’s energy auditor and facilities project manager, which makes him very knowledgeable of the operations within the schools across the district, as well as having the experience of a principal position,” said Dr. Stapleton.

With COVID restrictions being lifted, Beasley said he’s looking to return to normalcy and “removing isolation from the educational process.”

Beasley also looks forward to working with GBMS’s new assistant principal, Henrietta Williams, who has been an English language arts teacher in Barnwell and Williston.

“Henrietta Williams is very passionate about GBMS and has the best interests in mind when it comes to students. I’m very happy to be able to work with her at GBMS. I feel that we will work to achieve the goals and together we will create a great team,” said Beasley.

Though new to administration, Williams is a veteran educator who is no stranger to GBMS. She is entering her 30th year of education.

“She is a teacher leader amongst the staff at the middle school and has completed additional training and certifications as an aspiring administrator. While this will be her first administrative role, she will bring into that position a passion for helping students and assisting staff in providing the best possible learning environment for the GBMS student body,” said Stapleton.

Watching students grow and learn is what Williams most enjoys about being an educator.

“I consider it an honor to be able to serve our community. I look forward to providing opportunities for our students to prepare them to have options in the future,” said Williams.

Dr. Stapleton said she is appreciative of the great work of so many dedicated leaders across the district, including what great things are in store for GBMS with the new leadership team in place.