Florence, South Carolina – Florence 1 Schools will have several familiar faces in new leadership roles when the 2026-2027 school year begins, after the district’s Board of Trustees approved four administrative appointments Thursday night.
The changes include one district-level promotion and new leadership at South Florence High School, Briggs Elementary School and Dewey L. Carter Elementary School.
All four appointments come from within Florence 1 Schools, a point district leaders highlighted as a sign of the leadership being developed across its campuses.
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South Florence High School Principal Shand Josey will move into the role of Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education. She will replace Michelle Wynn, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.
“I am honored to serve as the new Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools in Florence One Schools,” Josey said.
“Over the past 21 years, Florence One Schools has become so much more than the place where I work — it has become home. I have had the privilege of serving students and families at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and those experiences have shaped both my leadership and my heart for education. I look forward to helping ensure that every child in our district has access to outstanding educational experiences, meaningful opportunities, and the support they need to succeed.”
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With Josey moving to the district office, Kristen Cue will become the next principal of South Florence. Cue has served as an assistant principal at the school since 2022 and said she is excited to continue working in a place she has called home for the past four years.
At Briggs Elementary, Wendy Frazier will take over as principal. Frazier, the longtime principal of Dewey L. Carter Elementary, will replace Kathryn Abbott, who is leaving at the end of the school year.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Briggs Elementary School community,” Frazier said. “For generations, Briggs has been a place where students have grown academically, socially, and emotionally while fostering strong connections among families and the community.”
Dewey L. Carter Elementary will then be led by Lindsay Cole, the school’s current assistant principal. Cole said it is an honor to step into the principal role after working alongside the school’s students, staff and families.
Superintendent Richard O’Malley said the appointments reflect the district’s focus on promoting strong leaders from within.
“I am extremely proud that each of these administrators is being promoted from within our buildings,” O’Malley said. “Each of these administrators has demonstrated a commitment to strong academics, positive school cultures, and building relationships.”
