Lexington County students across multiple schools will have new principals and assistant principals for the 2026-27 school year.

Earlier this year, Andrew Price was selected to be the new principal at Wood Elementary School for the upcoming school year.

“Price has served as an assistant principal at Wood for the past four years. He started his education career in 2014 with Lexington Two as a PE teacher at the former Brookland Cayce Grammar School No. 1, later Riverbank Elementary,” according to a press release. “Price has led with a deep commitment to students, staff, and school improvement, including being named Teacher of the Year twice, mentoring induction teachers, leading PBIS efforts, and contributing as a team leader, cohort facilitator, School Improvement Council representative, Standards-Based Grading Committee member, as well as District Physical Education Liaison.

“At Wood Elementary, he serves as both an instructional and operational leader, helping guide schoolwide efforts to improve attendance and strengthen discipline systems to create a safe and positive learning environment. He works closely with grade-level teams to support strong planning practices that promote high-quality instruction and student growth. Price holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education.”

Last week, Samantha Kennedy was announced as the new principal of Batesburg-Leesville Middle School, following the retirement of longtime principal Sharah Clark.

“A dedicated educator and experienced leader, Mrs. Kennedy began her career in education in Richland School District Two in 2012 as a fifth grade teacher. She has served Lexington Three since 2016 where she joined our district as a fourth grade teacher at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School before moving into the role of Instructional Coordinator at Batesburg-Leesville Primary School,” according to a press release. “Most recently, she has served as Assistant Principal at Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School where she has played a key role in supporting student achievement, strengthening instruction, and fostering a positive school culture.

“Mrs. Kennedy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Clemson University and her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her commitment to student success, collaborative leadership style, and passion for building strong relationships with students, staff, and families.”

Also last week, Meg Hanks Huggins was announced as the new principal of River Bluff High School.

“Huggins, who is currently an assistant principal, will replace Principal Jacob Smith who retires after serving working at RBHS for 13 years,” according to a press release. “She began her career in Lexington One as a history and government teacher at White Knoll High School in 2004 before moving to Lexington High School, where she also taught economics, geography and global studies. In 2013, when River Bluff High School opened, Huggins joined the school as the lead teacher for the Center for Law and Global Policy Development. In 2017, she moved into school leadership as an assistant principal.

“Her credentials include certifications in secondary principal, gifted and talented, Advanced Placement Government, Advanced Placement Human Geography, and secondary social studies. Huggins earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and master’s degrees in teaching and educational leadership from the University of South Carolina.”

Additionally, two schools in Lexington County School District Two will have new assistant principals.

Britney Bundrick and Melissa Collins will be the assistant principals at Wood Elementary School, and Rhoda Chatman will be the assistant principal at Pine Ridge Middle School.

Here is more information on the three, as provided by a press release from the district:

“Mrs. Bundrick is currently a third grade teacher at Springdale Elementary, where she has served since 2021 and was named Teacher of the Year in 2024. Mrs. Bundrick is coming back to a familiar place in Wood Elementary, where she started her education career in 2011 and taught for four years. She later taught at Saxe Gotha Elementary in Lexington One. Since joining Lexington Two, she has served as a Guiding Coalition and Team Lead from 2022-2026 and has contributed to the district as a Launch teacher, SC Teaching Standards 4.0 Evaluator, Title One District Planning Committee member, School Improvement Council member, cooperating teacher, and Lex 2 Grows member. She has also helped write district curriculum for five years. Mrs. Bundrick has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.”

“Ms. Collins joined Lexington Two in 2025 and is currently a fifth grade teacher at Riverbank Elementary. Prior to that, she served as a special education teacher at CS112 The Bronxwood School and previously taught sixth grade at Icahn Charter School 6, where she also held leadership roles supporting professional learning, data analysis, curriculum planning, and teacher development. Since joining Lexington Two, she has provided standards-aligned instruction in fifth grade math and science, using data-driven and differentiated strategies to support diverse learners, including students with IEPs and 504 plans. She is currently participating in the Lex2 Grows Leadership Development Cohort. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, both from Quinnipiac University, and a master’s from the American College of Education.”

“Mrs. Chatman currently serves as assistant principal at John P. Thomas Elementary School in Richland One, where she supports daily school operations, teacher development, special education compliance, student services, and school-wide systems. Her career also includes previously serving in the roles of school counselor, teacher, case manager, and director of school counseling and advisement across multiple Lexington County school districts, among them Lexington-Richland 5 (Ballentine Elementary, CrossRoads Intermediate, Dutch Fork Middle), Lexington One (Pleasant Hill Middle), as well as an earlier role in Lexington Two as a teacher/case manager at New Bridge Academy. She started her education career as a teacher at Denmark-Olar Elementary School in Bamberg County School District. Mrs. Chatman has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and Master of Education degree in Counselor Education, both from SC State University, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College.”