Superintendent Dr. Marcella Shaw receives surprise retirement party

Dr. Marcella Shaw broke down in tears during a surprise retirement party.

The Barnwell County Consolidated School District (BCCSD) held a luncheon on June 1 to recognize Shaw, who is retiring after nearly 30 years in education. Prior to being named BCCSD interim superintendent in 2022, Shaw served four years as superintendent of Williston District 29 before it consolidated with Barnwell District 19 in 2022.

“I have been blessed with five wonderful years in the Blackville and Williston communities. I am most grateful for the unwavering support afforded to my administration and me so that we could work to advance our beloved district. I am a better educator/person because of my experiences in Williston and BCCSD. The community will forever hold a special place in my heart, especially our scholars!” said Shaw.

Director of Operations David Corder made an excuse to cause Shaw to come to the school. As Corder led her to the cafeteria, Shaw was greeted by her husband Warren and a room full of current colleagues, former colleagues, family, and friends.

“My prayer is that the celebration was not necessarily about me, but in recognition and honor of the many scholars, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members God has blessed me to serve for the past 29.5 years. My work would have been in vain had I not been gifted with the opportunity to serve and carry out the work God would have me to do while continually working toward advancing all scholars in Barnwell County Consolidated School District, Lexington School District Two, and Hampton County School District to the highest levels of excellence,” said Shaw.

Many people shared about the impact Shaw has made throughout nearly three decades.

“I think if you look up first class in the dictionary your picture would be there,” said Williston Mayor Brett Williams to Shaw.

Phil Strother, a retired coach and principal from Hampton County, not only knew Shaw as a student but also as a colleague. He gave the Hampton County native her first teaching job after college.

“She’s known as a woman of honor, integrity, competency, and a woman whose love has made our lives richer,” said Strother, who taught Shaw, her parents, and her husband.

Shaw said Strother and other Hampton County educators believed in her before she believed in herself.

After leaving Hampton County, Shaw moved to Lexington School District 2 where she worked her way up through the ranks. She came to the former Williston School District 29 in 2018 and was named interim superintendent of the Barnwell County Consolidated School District in 2022.

“The past five years have honestly been the pinnacle of my career because I learned how to serve others from the depths of my soul when things were going great and how to provide that same service when things were not so great. I learned about true servant leadership and how getting to know those you serve is key to serving if you are truly going to serve with a spirit of excellence. The power of protecting human capital, exercising teamwork, having fun, and having accountability led to many successes for our scholars, teachers, community, schools, and district. We did not believe in admiring our problems, so where we fell short, we attempted to use those shortcomings as lessons learned and opportunities to pivot to the next level of greatness,” said Shaw.

School leaders spoke about the impact Shaw has made on not only scholars but their careers.

“You have been a beacon of inspiration, guiding our educational institution toward excellence and fostering an environment where both students and staff thrive,” said Williston-Elko High School Principal Tony Flowers. The Williston native credits Shaw as a major reason he returned to WEHS in 2022.

Williston-Elko Middle School Principal Dr. Austrai Bradley thanked Shaw for “sharpening” her while Kelly Edwards Elementary School Principal Monique Smalls thanked Shaw for growing her as a leader. WEMS teacher and assistant principal Patricia Ulmer said Shaw has gone above and beyond since day one. Federal and State Coordinator Nakeisha Baxley said Shaw made her look at things differently when she was principal of KEES.

Several pastors were also present at the celebration, which speaks to the strong community ties that Shaw has worked to grow. This includes an annual breakfast with pastors.

“I knew she had a concern for people and was concerned about making a difference in the lives of people,” said Rev. Donald Goode with the Lower Counties Ministers Against Violence.

Operating a school district is a team effort. That’s even more true when you are tasked with consolidating two districts into one.

“It wasn’t perfect, and we are trying to work out the kinks, but by the grace of God it happened,” said Shaw of consolidating the former Williston and Blackville districts into the new BCCSD in just a span of six months.

In the end, employees were paid in July 2022 and students arrived in August 2022.

“Everyone contributed to a successful consolidation,” she said.

This resulted in a “fundamental year” for the 2022-23 school year, which included 18 scholars earning associate degrees from Denmark Technical College, two scholars earning Teaching Fellows scholarships, 10 scholars earning Meeting Street scholarships worth $40,000, funding newspaper subscriptions to promote literacy, reinstituting soccer, adding wrestling, increasing safety and security with more cameras, partnering with Voorhees University’s Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation to help with the teacher shortage, meeting with 25 ministers, and KEES earning an excellent report card. Future opportunities include book vending machines so scholars can earn tokens to take home books and the addition of a child development center at KEES.

“A year ago, I stood before you and asked you to trust me. Thank you for allowing me to serve you. Leaving this place was the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life,” said Shaw. “I wish you all nothing but success and know God has His hand all over this district.”

With the next phase of consolidation set to unite the BCCSD and Barnwell District 45, Shaw is passing the reins to David Corder on July 1. She will retire at the end of June to spend more time with family, including her daughter who will be a high school senior.

“The old retiree coming out of retirement is going to congratulate the new retiree, 10 years younger than himself, on her retirement. You can still change your mind,” said Corder jokingly at the district’s end-of-the-year celebration for employees on May 25.

Though he wanted to fully retire after working hand-in-hand with Shaw to consolidate the districts in 2022, Shaw said some of the board wanted him to stay on a year for the transition. He said he would stay out of respect for Shaw. Once again, he’s delaying retirement to help the district when Shaw retires.

“She is such a lovely lady. She has a kind heart, loves children, and loves the district’s staff, from the custodians and bus drivers all the way up,” said Corder.

Shaw said she knows she’s leaving the district in capable hands who will continue to do “what’s in the best interest of our scholars.”