The Fort Mill School District has announced several leadership changes that could impact your child’s school.

Here they are…

Fort Mill Virtual Academy & Forest Creek Middle School

Christine McNeil

Christine McNeil will serve as the first principal of Forest Creek Middle School when it opens for the 2021–2022 school year and will serve as the director of the newly created Fort Mill Virtual Academy for the 2020–2021 school year.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Secondary Education from the College of Charleston, along with Masters Degrees in Administration and Public Health from the University of South Carolina.

Mrs. McNeil has 25 years of educational experience. She has worked in the Fort Mill School District for the past 14 years, first as an assistant principal before transitioning into her current role as principal of Gold Hill Middle School.

Under her new role as director of the virtual academy she will ensure students receive the same high quality education as our traditional students. This role was created along with the virtual academy to allow parents an alternative to in-person learning with any return-to-school plan in August.

During the second portion of the 2020–2021 school year Mrs. McNeil will oversee the preparations for the opening of Forest Creek Middle School and will serve as the school’s first principal when it opens in the fall of 2021.

Gold Hill Middle School

Richard Eppes

Richard Eppes will serve as the new principal of Gold Hill Middle School. Mr. Eppes will replace Mrs. McNeil as the principal at Gold Hill Middle School where he currently serves as an assistant principal. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and a Masters of Education in Administration from the University of South Carolina.

Mr. Eppes has 19 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator. He has served as assistant principal as Gold Hill Middle School for the past seven years. He will transition to the role as principal for the upcoming 2020–2021 school year.

Student Services – Executive Director

Grey Young

Grey Young will become the new Executive Director of Student Services, leaving his job as Principal at Pleasant Knoll Middle School. A new principal has not been selected.

Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and Masters in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Young began his 19 year career in education as a teacher at Fort Mill High School before becoming an assistant principal at Springfield Middle School. He later served as Principal at Pleasant Knoll Elementary School before moving on to open Pleasant Knoll Middle School in 2017.

Mr. Young replaces Dr. Antwon Sutton who is joining the Chester County School District as Superintendent. Mr. Young will assume his role as Executive Director of Student Services effective immediately.

(Information comes from the FMSD.)

Greg "Ricky Bobby" Rickabaugh has lived in the Fort Mill and York County community since 2006. He has covered the area while a reporter for The Charlotte Observer and a freelance writer for The Fort Mill...