Home News NEW ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS SELECTED

NEW ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS SELECTED

8/24/2020

Beginning October 1, 2020, Richland School District Two will have an Executive Director of Elementary Schools and Executive Director of Secondary Schools. At a special called board meeting Thursday, July 9, 2020, Superintendent Dr. Baron R. Davis recommended and the Richland School District Two Board of Trustees approved the selection of Tracy M. Footman as Executive Director of Elementary Schools and Dr. Sabrina J. Suber as Executive Director of Secondary Schools.

Footman is currently principal of Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School and Dr. Suber is principal of Richland Northeast High School. Both will continue to work in their respective roles until after the 2020-21 school year begins, officially assuming their new positions in October.
With these executive director positions, Richland Two is not creating or adding additional full time employees (FTEs). These positions were created by repurposing an assistant superintendent position following that employee’s resignation, and a hearing officer position that was vacant for more than one year.

“Converting positions is a common and best practice and in line with recommendations made in a 2017 efficiency and effectiveness study to responsibly grow our leadership level in a school district with 28,000 students,” said Superintendent Dr. Baron R. Davis. “These positions are within the allotted number of FTEs allocated to the district office by the board of trustees and do not take any positions away from schools or teachers. Richland Two has been and continues to be very lean when it comes to district-level administration.”
The executive directors will report to the assistant superintendent for leadership and administration. Their duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to supporting principals with decision-making and problem-solving related to all school functions; assisting in the implementation of district improvement initiatives; and conducting formal evaluations of principals aligned with state guidelines for principal evaluation.

Tracy M. Footman, Executive Director of Elementary Schools
Footman began her educational career 20 years ago teaching mathematics at Bennettsville Middle School, Marlboro Applied Science School and Kelly Mill Med Pro Middle School. She later became an assistant administrator at Richland Northeast High School, assistant principal for the Richland Two High School Summer School, and assistant principal at Bridge Creek Elementary School and Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary School. She has been principal of Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School for the last six years.

“I am elated to be embarking on this new journey. The diverse leadership opportunities and experiences which I have had throughout my career have well prepared me to serve in this capacity. I look forward to working in concert with Richland Two's talented elementary principals and magnet directors to support educational excellence for all on our pathway to premier,” said Footman. “I will wholeheartedly miss the BHE family and community and I look forward to hearing about and seeing how they continue to lead and succeed."

Footman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of South Carolina, Master of Education degree in educational administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ and Educational Specialist degree in educational administration from S.C. State University in Orangeburg. She is married to Joey Footman, physical education teacher and basketball coach in a neighboring school district.

Dr. Sabrina J. Suber, Executive Director of Secondary Schools
An educator for more than 26 years, Dr. Suber became principal of Richland Northeast High School in 2011. Prior to that, she was the school’s assistant principal for eight years, and taught high school English in Richland School District’s One and Two. During her tenure as principal, Richland Northeast won many accolades, including becoming the only Richland Two School to earn the coveted International Baccalaureate Diploma Program designation and national certification. Dr. Suber is the 2019 Magnet Schools of America, National Principal of the Year.

“While I embrace this opportunity with great excitement, the thought of leaving Richland Northeast adds much sorrow. I have spent the last 17 years at RNE and it’s been the ride of my life. Together with students, parents, faculty, staff and community, we accomplished so much together and I am extremely blessed and grateful for all of the experiences, relationships and achievements,” said Dr. Suber.

Dr. Suber received her bachelor’s degree in secondary English from Benedict College and master’s degree in divergent learning from Columbia College. She holds certification in educational administration, an Educational Specialist degree, and a Doctor of Education degree in educational administration from S.C. State University in Orangeburg. Dr. Suber and her husband, Brian Suber, Sr. have three children, all graduates of Richland Two schools.