Superintendent Search Information
On Feb.4, Dr. Chuck Epps announced plans for retirement. His official retirement date will be June 30, 2025, but Dr. Epps plans to work with the incoming Superintendent through Dec. 31, 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
FMSD Announces Superintendent Selection
The Fort Mill School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of the district’s next Superintendent. During a special called meeting held on May 22, the Board voted unanimously (7–0) to approve Mr. Grey Young as the successor to Dr. Chuck Epps, who will retire at the end of this school year after more than four decades of service to the district.
Mr. Grey Young holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the University of South Carolina. He recently earned an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Clemson University and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership, also from Clemson, with an anticipated completion in 2026.
Mr. Young brings 24 years of dedicated service in public education, all within the Fort Mill School District. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal at both the elementary and middle school levels, and district-level administrator. He currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Administration. In this role, he oversees key areas including school safety, transportation, athletics, student discipline, and supports leadership development across the district.
In recognition of his leadership and impact, Mr. Young was named the 2025 South Carolina District-Level Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
This announcement follows a comprehensive national search that included multiple rounds of candidate interviews, school visits, public sessions, and valuable community feedback. The Board will now enter into contract negotiations with Mr. Young to finalize the hiring process. The new Superintendent is scheduled to officially begin on July 1.
Dr. Epps will remain with the district as a consultant through December to help support Mr. Young during the transition to Superintendent of the Fort Mill School District.
“The Board is grateful for the community’s engagement and support throughout this process. We conducted a thorough national search and were fortunate to interview a number of highly qualified and impressive candidates. After careful consideration, we are confident that Mr. Young is the right person to lead the Fort Mill School District into its next chapter” said Chairwoman Kristy Spears. “We are excited about the experience and vision Mr. Young brings, and we look forward to working together to continue the tradition of excellence that defines our schools.”
“I am incredibly honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve as the next superintendent of the Fort Mill School District, a community that has shaped who I am both personally and professionally” said Grey Young. “I am especially grateful to Dr. Epps, whose leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to our students have left an indelible mark on this district and on me. I look forward to building on that legacy with a clear vision focused on innovation, academic achievement, and meaningful connections with our students, staff, and families. Together, we will continue to grow, lead, and elevate Fort Mill to even greater heights.”
Meet and Greet
Superintendent Search Update:
The Fort Mill School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the selection of three finalists in the search for the district’s next superintendent. Following a comprehensive search conducted in partnership with BWP & Associates, the board interviewed six candidates from a highly qualified pool and has identified three finalists to advance to the next phase of the process. In alphabetical order by last name, the finalists are:
Mr. Jason Johns
Superintendent
Anderson School District 2
Dr. Mary Stratos
Chief Instructional Officer
Beaufort County School District
Mr. Grey Young
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Administration
Fort Mill School District
Each finalist will participate in a “Day in the District” on Monday, May 19, which will include school and community visits. The day will conclude with a public meet-and-greet event in the Nation Ford High School Auditorium, scheduled as follows:
Mr. Jason Johns – 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Mary Stratos – 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Grey Young – 6:00 p.m.
BWP and Associates Hired to Lead Search
The Fort Mill School District Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that BWP and Associates has been selected to lead the search for the district's next superintendent.
BWP Associates, a highly regarded executive search firm with extensive experience in K-12 education, stood out for its deep understanding of school systems, commitment to an inclusive search process, and proven ability to identify exceptional leaders.
“We believe BWP and Associates’ expertise and collaborative approach will be invaluable in attracting a highly qualified pool of candidates who align with our district’s vision,” said Kristy Spears, FMSD Board Chair. “Their team will engage closely with the Board and the community to ensure we find the best possible leader for our schools.”
Dr. Kevin Castner and Dr. Percy Mack of BWP Associates will lead the search. They provided an overview of the process and outlined opportunities for public engagement at the March 18 board meeting.
The firm has facilitated a comprehensive public engagement process to gather community input on the district’s strengths, challenges, and priorities. This effort included a public survey, which closed on March 24, as well as a community forum on March 20.
BWP and Associates Presents Data from Surveys and Engagement Events
Dr. Kevin Castner presented the data from the recent superintendent search survey, community engagement events and the profile overview developed from the data. The desired superintendent qualifications include:
- A highly visible, forward-thinking superintendent who will enhance the school division’s collaborative, innovative, and diverse culture.
- A visionary educator who is an effective communicator and a strategic leader who fosters accountability among team members.
- A trusted public education leader who has experience managing district’s resources and knowledge of sound fiscal procedures.
- An accomplished leader who strives to create positive working relationships with the School Board, Staff and Community.
Next Steps
- Application Deadline: April 28, 2025
- The Board chooses and arranges interviews with candidates - May.
- The Board conducts second interviews, chooses finalists, conducts negotiations and announces the finalist.
- The Board appoints the new superintendent and negotiates the contract –May
- The Board presents the new superintendent to the community –May
- The superintendent starts on or before July 2025.
The goal of the school board is to fill the position by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.