School leaders shift at Barnwell District 45

Barnwell School District 45 has made some mid-year administrative changes.

The promotion of Guinyard-Butler Middle School’s (GBMS) principal to a district-level job is leading to a series of other changes. All transitions were official as of Monday, February 6.

“Our district is so fortunate to have so many wonderful administrators and aspiring administrators preparing for future leadership positions. As recent moves happened, it necessitated other moves within the district. It is the dedication and commitment of these amazing administrators that make us able to adjust during the year to provide even greater opportunities across the district. We have no doubt each of these individuals will be dynamic in their new roles,” said Superintendent Dr. Crissie Stapleton.

Guinyard-Butler Middle School

GBMS Principal Mike Beasley has moved to a new district-level position as Director of Operations.

Since coming to GBMS at the start of the 2022-23 school year, Beasley has also served as the district’s energy auditor and facilities project manager. These roles will be expanding with the recent approval of several large facility projects scheduled to begin immediately, as well as projects the district continues to implement. Timing is now right to fill this position, which was previously left open while the district waited for the commencement of these large projects.

“In addition to facilities and energy auditing, Beasley will also have oversight of the district’s grounds and building maintenance, transportation program, alternative program, safety, and truancy,” said Stapleton.

This is Beasley’s 26th year in education, including his fifth at District 45. He previously worked 21 years at Blackville-Hilda Public Schools, including as Blackville-Hilda High principal and athletic director. He was assistant principal at Barnwell High prior to moving to GBMS.

Henrietta Williams, an educator with 30 years of experience, has moved into the principal position.

She was assistant principal of GBMS during the first half of the 2022-2023 school year. She is in her seventh year amongst the staff at the middle school, but previously worked as an English language arts teacher in Barnwell and Williston.

“Williams has a strong passion for helping students be successful and assisting staff in providing the best possible environment for the district’s middle school students. Her dedication and commitment to making GBMS its best has shone throughout her time as a teacher leader and now as an administrator,” said Stapleton.

Beasley described Williams as “an outstanding leader who will continue to work with our families, students, and staff to ensure Guinyard-Butler Middle School is an inviting and supportive place to learn, as well as fostering a learning environment that enhances students' physical and emotional well-being and ensures that our district’s mission and core values are achieved.”

He also expressed in a letter to families on January 23 that Williams embodies the vision, “Where hearts are big and opportunities are great.”

Barnwell High School

The district has also filled the assistant principal’s position at Barnwell High School (BHS) that was vacated by Beasley’s move to GBMS last summer.

BHS Athletic Director Derek Youngblood filled in as interim assistant principal during the first semester of the 2022-23 school year until the position was ready to be filled permanently. Jared Thrasher has transferred to BHS to take this position full-time after serving the past three years as assistant principal at Barnwell Elementary School (BES).

“While this role is new, being at the high school is not, as Thrasher served as a high school teacher at BHS for five years prior to moving into administration at the elementary school,” said Stapleton.

Youngblood will now serve as interim assistant principal at GBMS for the remainder of the 2022-23 school year, while continuing to fill his duties as the district’s athletic director.

Barnwell Elementary School

Thrasher’s move to BHS left the BES assistant principal’s position vacant.

“The elementary school had previously interviewed candidates for the assistant principal position and was able to hire a strong candidate to serve in this role,” said Stapleton.

Mark Carson will begin serving as interim assistant principal at BES. He is familiar with BES, where he served as a classroom teacher for three years before moving to Barnwell Primary School for the past two years.

“Having experience at multiple grade levels will be an asset for Carson as he steps into this new role, as well as the many certifications and trainings he has completed as an aspiring administrator,” Stapleton said.