STRATFORD PRINCIPAL POST GOES TO VETERAN OF BERKELEY SCHOOLS

GOOSE CREEK--Jim Spencer was named Stratford High's new principal,
three months after George McCrackin resigned as the only permanent
principal the school had known.

The Berkeley County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to
hire Spencer, a 14-year veteran of the district, to lead its biggest
school.

His new post officially begins July 1. Spencer will remain principal
of Hanahan High until the school year ends.

"He's the whole package," Dave Barrow, Berkeley County's high schools
supervisor, said Wednesday. "We're just thrilled he applied."

Superintendent Chester Floyd and a search committee that included
Barrow recommended Spencer from among about 10 candidates. Spencer's
likable personality and proven leadership skills are just what
Stratford High needs, Barrow said.

"I'm looking forward to moving Stratford toward a new day," Spencer
said. "I'm not worried about distractions. I'm focused on school
improvement."

McCrackin voluntarily stepped down Jan. 5 after 20 years as principal
because of continued pressure over a controversial drug raid at the
school two months earlier.

Goose Creek police officers charged into the school's main hallway,
several with guns drawn, early Nov. 5 on suspicion of marijuana sales.
Officers ordered students to the floor and put some in plastic
restraints. Police found no drugs and made no arrests, but school
surveillance camera recordings of the event brought national media
attention and criticism that did not die down as many school officials
hoped.

When McCrackin resigned, Floyd appointed Mildred Brevard, a former
assistant principal at Stratford, to serve as interim principal. She
will keep that position for the rest of the school year.

McCrackin now works in the district office, drawing new attendance
zones and organizing the opening of new schools.

"The healing has started," said Bobby Bowes, a math teacher in his
third year at Stratford. Brevard "smoothed the process over so we
could get back to teaching. The rest of what was going on got in the
way."

Physical science teacher Anne Turner, who worked under McCrackin for
18 years, described the upcoming year as an adventure.

"I think there's going to be some bumps," she said. "We're moving in
uncharted waters. We've never had a principal replaced. It's an
opportunity for us to grow."

Spencer, who met with Stratford faculty Wednesday afternoon, said he
realizes the challenge in stepping into a position occupied by one
person for so long. But he enjoys challenges, he said.

"He's the man who can do it," said board member Jim
Royce.

Students are curious about the kind of leader Spencer will
be.

"I think people think they can get away with a lot more" with
McCrackin gone, senior Brittany Hill said. "Things are not as strict
as before."

Spencer describes himself as a consistent disciplinarian who adheres
to district policy. He plans to keep his door open, wander the halls
often and regularly attend after-school functions.

"Principals could spend a lifetime in the office, but kids need to see
you," he said.

At Hanahan High, he generally gets to school at 6:20 a.m. so he can
visit with students eating breakfast in the cafeteria and talk to
parents as they drop off their children.

Spencer brings a scientific approach to school leadership. His first
objective is to dissect the numbers. The former Berkeley High science
teacher believes analyzing test scores is key to student success.

"I love analyzing and processing data," he said. "I really get a kick
out of it."

The numbers also will help him assess teaching strengths and
weaknesses and then form teacher teams, he said.

"He kept reiterating the importance of teams," board Chairwoman
Harriett Dangerfield said about why she supported Spencer for the job.

Spencer moves from a school of about 800 students to one with more
than 2,600. He will divide his time between the two schools in the
coming months.

Spencer called a meeting at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to break the news to
Hanahan High faculty.

"They couldn't have made a better choice," said Rodney Thompson, one
of Hanahan High's two assistant principals.

Thompson, who plans to apply for the principal job, said he has mixed
emotions about Spencer's departure.

"He'll be deeply missed," Thompson said. "He's a good friend who's
taught me a lot about leadership. He's made Hanahan High a very
pleasant place to work. He does his best to make sure everyone enjoys
their job."

Spencer said he's not worried about Hanahan.

"Hanahan High is in great shape," he said. "The train is on the right
track. Leaving does not distress me."

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JIM SPENCER

AGE: 43

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in 1988 from Eastern Michigan University;
master's degree in secondary school administration in 1999 from
Charleston Southern University

CAREER: Substitute teacher in Saline, Mich., January to May 1989;
Berkeley High science teacher, 1990-1999; adult education teacher in
Moncks Corner, 1993-1999; adjunct technology instructor at The
Citadel, 1996-2002; Hanahan High assistant principal, 1999-2002;
Hanahan High principal, 2002 to present

FAMILY: Wife Michelle, drama director at Fort Dorchester High; two
daughters, Erin and Brooke, in Dorchester District 2 elementary schools