The Aiken County Board of Education has approved the appointment of Dr. Devone McKie as Principal of Warrenville Elementary School.
McKie will assume the role following the recent promotion of Dr. Charlene Heard, who was named Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools.
As part of the principal selection process, parents and staff were invited to share the qualities and priorities they believed were most important for Warrenville Elementary School’s next leader. Providing a positive learning and working environment ranked as the highest priority among survey respondents, followed by parent involvement and student academic achievement. District leaders considered this feedback in selecting their top candidate.
“Throughout this process, we asked Warrenville families, staff, and community members what they wanted most in their next principal,” said Dr. Corey Murphy, Superintendent of Aiken County Public School District. “The overwhelming priorities identified were a positive learning and working environment, strong parent involvement, and continued focus on student achievement. Dr. McKie’s leadership experience, commitment to building relationships, and student-centered approach align closely with the qualities our stakeholders told us were most important. He is an exceptional leader who understands the importance of creating a school culture where students, staff, and families feel supported, connected, and empowered to succeed.”
McKie brings nearly a decade of educational experience to the position. Since 2022, he has served as Assistant Principal at Leavelle McCampbell Middle School, where he has helped lead efforts to strengthen instruction, support student success, and build a positive school culture through collaborative leadership and data-informed decision-making. He has facilitated professional learning communities, coordinated student support programs, led professional development efforts, and partnered with families and community stakeholders to enhance student achievement and school climate. He also spearheaded a Tier II behavior intervention program designed to support students and reduce disciplinary concerns.
Prior to becoming an administrator, McKie taught at Hammond Hill Elementary School, where he served in a variety of leadership roles, including grade-level chair, School-Based Leadership Team member, and Lighthouse Committee member. During his time at Hammond Hill, he was recognized as the school’s First-Year Teacher of the Year.
A graduate of the Aiken County Public School District’s Aspiring Principals Program, McKie represents the strength of leadership development within the District. He has demonstrated a commitment to professional growth and educational leadership through presentations at local and statewide conferences, leadership development initiatives, and service to professional organizations. He was recognized as a South Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (SCASCD) Emerging Leader and has helped support school-wide initiatives that resulted in Leavelle McCampbell Middle School being recognized as a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, a National Schools to Watch campus, and a recipient of the SCASCD Whole Child Award.
McKie earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Assessment from Southern Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina Aiken.
Aiken’s Board of Education approved McKie’s appointment at a special called meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. He’ll begin his new role in July.
“I am honored and excited to serve as the next principal of Warrenville Elementary,” McKie said. “I believe strong relationships are the foundation of a successful school, and I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, families, and community. Warrenville has a proud tradition of excellence and a deep commitment to children, and I am eager to build upon that legacy. Together, we will continue fostering a school culture where every student feels valued, supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.”