By Greg Oliver

Courtesy the Journal

goliver@upstatetoday.com

COUNTY — Clif Alexander has spent all 31 years of his education career as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Six Mile Elementary. However, that is now changing, as Alexander is leaving the only school he has ever known professionally.

But while Alexander will no longer be at Six Mile, he will remain in the School District of Pickens County. The school district announced last week that Alexander was approved for one of two interim positions in the school district, as he will be interim assistant superintendent of administration in the absence of former Pickens High School principal Marion Lawson.

Lawson, named to that capacity earlier this year, suffered a severe stroke May 30 and has taken an indefinite leave of absence as he undergoes physical therapy to recover. The district announced late Monday that Alexander would serve in a part-time capacity in his new role until Sept. 6, at which time he will become full-time in the interim position.

Alexander said he has mixed emotions.

“Serving at Six Mile Elementary for three decades has been such a blessing — it will definitely be hard to leave,” Alexander said. “I have had so many personal connections to this special place, which is part of my hometown — especially the people and my youngest daughter, who still attends there.”

While Alexander is leaving Six Mile Elementary, his successor will be a name familiar to those affiliated with the school. Melissa Terry, a longtime Clemson Elementary teacher and assistant principal who has served in recent years as principal of A.R. Lewis Elementary, will become part-time interim principal at Six Mile Elementary until Sept. 6. After that time, Terry will become the full-time interim principal.

Terry, who has also served as assistant principal at East End Elementary during her career, was recently appointed the transitional principal overseeing the Pickens-area elementary school merger.

Ironically, Terry’s husband, Troy, served as principal of Six Mile Elementary for four years, when Alexander was elevated from the classroom to assistant principal.

Superintendent Danny Merck said the district “is blessed to have so many capable people on our team who can help us bridge the gap during Mr. Lawson’s absence.”

“We’re hoping for a full recovery from him, and I’m very confident that Mr. Alexander and Mrs. Terry will do an excellent job of leading our principals and Six Mile Elementary School, respectively, in the coming months,” Merck said.

goliver@upstatetoday.com | (864) 973-6687

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