Aiken County, S.C. – Aiken County Public Schools have just announced the district’s chief officer of operations has been chosen as next year’s new superintendent.
After deliberating for hours in executive session, the school board chose Corey Murphy to take on an even larger role as superintendent starting the 2024-25 school year.
“I consider this to be the honor of my life,” Murphy said.
After serving in public education for 26 years, the last four of which were spent in Aiken County, Murphy said he believes Aiken County is home to some of the greatest heroes.
“Those that drive our buses, clean the hallways, fix the computers, repair the air conditioning, administer medications, build the schools, maintain the playground …,” he said. “All employees have value and should be treated and compensated as such.”
On top of his operations experience, Murphy has previously taught chemistry at Eau Clare High School in Columbia, S.C. from 1997 to 1999, and biology for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice from 1999 to 2003.
He also experienced significant success as a school-level leader when he was principal of Great Falls Middle/High School in South Carolina’s Midlands from 2007 to 2012. Under his leadership, the school experienced its lowest dropout rate in history and highest graduation level, and won a Palmetto Gold Award for Closing the Achievement Gap.
Afterwards, as principal of Beaufort High in 2012 to 2017, Murphy overhauled the academic program, which led to students earning the highest number of Career and Technical Education completers in district history, as well as setting several school records.
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In addition, the school experienced its highest graduation level, lowest dropout rate, highest SAT completion score, and highest Advanced Placement course participation, according to a press release from Aiken County.
“The school also improved its federal accountability rating (from 74.5 to 87.1) and was awarded the only Blue Star for Financial Literacy award in the state,” the press release stated.
In 2017, Murphy temporarily moved from school to district administration and lived in Virginia, where he served as Chief of Staff for Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools.
“In Williamsburg, he led an extensive strategic planning process and an equity initiative, while ensuring efficient, effective school system operation and supervising human resources, student services, special education, gifted services, health services social work, psychological services, athletics, and communications,” stated the county press release. “Among many duties, he also led principal mentoring, school board policy revision, as well as a calendar committee.”
However, after spending several years in Virginia, Murphy moved back home to South Carolina.
“My family and I took one look at this beautiful community and immediately knew we were home,” he said. “We love living here and have no plans of leaving.”
Accepting his position as Chief Officer of Operation and Student Services, Murphy was responsible for daily operations, including facilities construction management, instructional technology, safety and emergency management, transportation and school discipline.
He was also responsible for student services activities, including nursing services, school counselors, attendance, homebound and providing support to military families.
“Under his leadership, $240 million in new school construction and campus improvements have been completed,” a county press release stated. “Teachers have received panic devices for their classrooms as well as enhanced audio capabilities with lesson capture for remote learning, and the district was successful in attaining a grant for enhanced safety and security.”
After spending most of his childhood in Duncan, S.C., Murphy became a first-generation college graduate by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1997. Murphy then went on to earn numerous degrees from USC Columbia, including a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Supervision, an Educational Specialist’s degree in Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration.
He holds superintendent certification in both South Carolina and Virginia, as well as Pre-K-12 administration and supervision certification for Virginia and secondary principal and supervisor certification for South Carolina.
Also a certified senior professional in human resources, Murphy serves on the board of the United Way of Aiken County and on the board for Rural Health Services.
He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the American Association of School Administrators, the South Carolina Association of School Administrators and the National Association of Secondary Principals.
“He is a devoted husband to his wife Sherell and the father to their daughter Deja,” stated a press release from the county.
Murphy’s leadership experiences also include his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he currently serves as a lieutenant colonel.
During his career in the Reserves, which spans over 23 years, Murphy has served as a military police officer who guarded the president’s helicopter, a captain who led soldiers under fire overseas, a system integration officer, a commanding officer, a battalion human resources officer, a battalion executive officer and brigade deputy commander.
Aiken County’s next superintendent said he truly believes Aiken County is a good school district that is “poised for greatness.”
“I will build on the stalwart leadership of King Laurence to push the boundaries of public education,” he said. “I will be ready from day one to take charge and continue to work to maximize every child’s potential in safe and functional educational spaces.”
Following Laurence’s retirement, Murphy will begin his duties as superintendent on July 1, 2024.
