In a special-called meeting on February 25, the District Two Board of Trustees deliberated only a short time in executive session before returning to open session and unanimously voting to hire Dr. Shawn Johnson as the new superintendent.
Johnson, who is currently the superintendent for Barnwell School District 19 in Blackville, has a long background with the school systems in South Carolina, starting as a classroom teacher and working up through administration. His accolades include Superintendent of the Year—Region IIIA for 2016-2017, SC High School League Class 2A Conference President 2015, Closing the Achievement Gap Award Winner for 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2014 and Palmetto Gold Award 2014.
Johnson also has a coaching background, which will assist him as he works with the various athletic departments which will now be under his care.
After agreeing to hire him, the Board also voted unanimously to allow he and Superintendent John Tindal to work together on a sporadic basis between now and July 1 when Johnson will come on board full time. This will let Johnson take part in hiring and firing decisions, as well as planning, strategy and budgetary sessions, and will allow Tindal to assist Johnson as he acclimates to the new environment.
The Board came to the decision after a long search process which started at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year when the announcement was made about Tindal’s end of tenure. Over the past months, applicants were screened, interviews were held and finalists were brought in to meet the community and speak with the entire Board.
“There were four great finalists,” said Kimberly O. Johnson, Chair of the Clarendon School District Two Board of Trustees, and who is not related to Dr. Johnson. “We are very excited to have Dr. Johnson join the District in this leadership position and believe Dr. Johnson’s strength in curriculum and leadership will serve our District well.”
The Board recognizes the community will feel the absence of Tindal, after 17 years of committed service to the District. However, they approach the new school year with confidence that Johnson will continue the progress Tindal started, transitioning smoothly into place and continuing to open more doors and provide more opportunities for District Two students.
