COASTAL OBSERVER

Georgetown County School Superintendent Keith Price was named this week as the superintendent-elect of the Lexington County 1 School District.

“It’s a great opportunity but also bittersweet to be saying goodbye to so many great people, colleagues and friends that I’ve made in my time here. It’s a bundle of emotions,” Price said. “My experience in my four years here has been so rewarding and I’m so blessed to have been able to be here.”

“We regret that Keith Price is leaving us,” School Board Chairman Bill Gaskins said. “He has done so many great things for the Georgetown County School District. Lexington 1 is fortunate to have him.”

Board Member Lynne Ford said it is a loss for the district because he has done so much.

“I value the work and effort that Mr. Price has given to us these past four years, and I’ve enjoyed working with him,” she added. “In my travels across the state, I have observed that Mr. Price is held in high regard among his peers and other educators. I pray for his continued success in his next endeavors with the Lexington 1 School District.”

Gaskins said the board was preparing a formal statement.

Price will work for a year with Gerrita Postlewait, Lexington 1’s current superintendent, and then take over for her in July 2025. Postelwait is the former Horry County superintendent.

“I think it will be invaluable to basically have a whole year to transition into that role,” Price said. “It will give me the opportunity to make connections with a variety of different stakeholders throughout the district.”

Price called Postlewait a “wonderful” superintendent.

“I’ve been very fortunate and blessed in my career to work with some outstanding superintendents,” he said. “To have this opportunity to work alongside Dr. Postlewait is just really fortunate.” 

Price saw the job advertised and was intrigued by the concept of a superintendent-elect.

“This is kind of a different concept than a traditional superintendent vacancy,” he said.

According to the district, Price’s current salary is $195,152, plus a travel stipend of $10,200. His starting salary in Lexington will be $210,000.

Price was hired by Georgetown County in May 2020 to replace Randy Dozier, who was retiring after 17 years.

“I’ve had a very supportive and collaborative school board who’ve been interested in evolving and improving,” Price said. “They gave me challenges when I came in that they were not looking for status quo. They were looking for a leader with an improvement mindset. They’ve embraced that and we’ve done a lot of different things to try to bring about positive change.”

Price working for the Richland 2 School District for 24 years, so he’s familiar with the Midlands.

“I have some connections with people there, which makes it a little bit more familiar,” he said. “There’s still so much to learn.”

Price said that he told school board members that he’s committed to helping with the transition, even after he leaves.

The board was waiting for a decision from Lexington before starting that process, Board Member Scott DuBose said.

“We have not had a discussion yet,” he said.