An Aiken Elementary School is Assigned its First School Resource Officer

Jason Price is the first City of Aiken Department of Public Safety School Resource Officer (SRO) assigned to an elementary school.

He will be working closely with students, parents, and staff to ensure the well-being of everyone within Chukker Creek Elementary.

Other high schools and middle schools in Aiken will continue having a SRO. Here are a few for the current school year:

The purpose of a SRO is to enhance safety, support, and foster positive relationships at the schools.

The Aiken County Public School District will be welcoming 5 new principals for the 2023-2024 school year.

Learn a little about each new principal here.

Dr. Renee Bryant-Evans has been named the new principal for Chukker Creek Elementary School ahead of the 2023-24 school year.

Dr. Bryant-Evans’ academic background includes a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and an Educational Specialist Degree in Elementary Education from Troy State University. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fort Valley State University and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University.

She spent 12 years as a classroom teacher before serving in school administration and has served as Assistant Principal for Oak Hill Elementary, Rocky Plains Elementary, and Newton High School, Principal of Gadsden Elementary School, and Senior Officer for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Development for K-12 Transformation Schools.  Dr. Bryant-Evans most recently served as Acting Associate Superintendent for K-12 Transformation Schools for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.

Jacqueline Osteen is the new principal at Millbrook Elementary for the 2023-24 school year.

Osteen began her career in education as a Special Education Aide at Chukker Creek Elementary School. She went on to teach 6th Grade ELA at Saluda Middle School before returning to Aiken County Public Schools, where she taught 5^th and 3^rd Grade at Gloverville and was named the school’s Teacher of the Year in 2016. She later taught 5^th Grade at Aiken Elementary before joining Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle School’s Administrative Team as an assistant principal in 2020.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken in 2012 and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina in 2017.

Kippy Kelly is the new principal at J.D. Lever Elementary School. She served as the assistant principal for the last five years at J.D. Lever Elementary School.

Kelly’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken along with a Masters in Administration and Supervision and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership, both from Clemson University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.

North Augusta native Dede Scott has been named Hammond Hill Elementary School’s new principal for the 2023-24 school year.

Scott began her career as a fourth-grade teacher at Belvedere Elementary School, and also served there as a first-grade teacher. She went on to spend 12 years at Mossy Creek Elementary School, teaching first, third, and fourth grades and serving as the school’s K-5 Math Content Interventionist. She took on the role of District Elementary Math Content Interventionist in 2017.

Scott is a graduate of North Augusta High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a Minor in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken and a Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration from Southern Wesleyan University.

Latonia Evans is the new principal at Leavelle McCampbell Middle School for the 2023-24 school year.

After 12 years in the classroom, Evans transitioned into Administration as an assistant principal at Leavelle McCampbell. Most recently, she served as an assistant principal at Schofield Middle School.

Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a major in Middle Grades Education along with a Master of Education with a major in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Augusta State University. She received an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Georgia Regents University in 2014.