March 7, 2023

During the March 7 board meeting, the Kershaw County School Board approved Rhea Faris as the new director of pupil services to replace Duane Pate who is retiring at the end of March. As the director of pupil services, Faris will oversee student discipline, school zoning designations, student activities and athletics at the district level. 

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve Kershaw County students and families in this new role. I have learned a great deal in the last five years while working alongside amazing professionals in our district who strive to give all students in Kershaw County the best education. I look forward to many more years of growth and service at the district level,” says Faris.

A Camden High School graduate, Faris returned to KCSD in 2018 as an assistant principal at Lugoff-Elgin High School, where he currently oversees the mathematics department, professional development and instruction, attendance and truancy, ACE, AP Capstone, and credit recovery.

An experienced educator, Faris began his career in 2002 as a mathematics teacher at Laurens District 55 High School where he served as the chair of the curriculum and data committee. In 2007, he joined the mathematics department at Chapin High School where he taught for six years and was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in 2013. Before becoming an administrator at Lugoff-Elgin High, Faris taught for five years at Mid-Carolina High School, where he served on the leadership team, helping develop curriculum and implement new standards and technology initiatives for the school and district.

“With more than 20 years of education experience around the Midlands, Mr. Faris will be a great asset to our district team. We look forward to his leadership in the pupil services department,” says KCSD Superintendent Dr. Harrison Goodwin.

Faris received a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in secondary education from Presbyterian College and Master of Arts in educational leadership with an emphasis on principalship from The University of the Cumberlands.

Faris is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and is an Academic Cohort of Excellence administrator.