By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon District Four School Board announced the hiring of a new principal for Dillon High School at a called meeting on Monday to fill the position left vacant by the current principal, Dr. Shawn Johnson, who has taken a position in another district.
Timothy P. Gibbs of Pamplico will take over the position of Dillon High School’s principal on July 1st.
Gibbs is currently the principal of Hannah-Pamplico High School in Florence District Two where he has served since 2008.
Gibbs earned his B.S. degree in Mathematics Education in 1996 from Clemson University. He earned his M.A. in School Administration in 2003 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
In the past, he has served as the Assistant Principal of Operations at South Point High School in the Gaston County Schools from 2005-2008; as Assistant Principal of Freshman Academy at Hunter Huss High School in the Gaston County Schools from 2004-2005; and as Assistant Principal at J.N. Fries Middle School in the Cabarrus County Schools from 2001-2004.
He also served as a middle grades math teacher at McClintock Middle School in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools from 1998-2001, as a mathematics teacher at Mauldin High School from 1997-1998; and as a mathematics teacher at Woodmont High School in Greenville from 1996-1997.
Gibbs is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators; and the American Association of School Administrators.
Superintendent Ray Rogers introduced Gibbs to the Dillon District Four School Board and said he feels that he will be an asset to the district.
Dr. Polly Elkins told the board with Gibbs vast experience that she felt they could maintain their momentum at the high school and continue to do even better under his leadership.
Gibbs told the board that he didn’t like to make changes until he had a chance to see what was going on. He said he had seen the data and noted the marked improvement in the dropout rate. He said he will continue the course and see how he can enhance it academically.
Gibbs said he will see what they can do to get EOC (End of Course) tests to continue to rise and will work on scholarships and include the military as an option for students. He said they have to get the students some place where they can get some kind of training.
He said he was a friend of Dr. Shawn Johnson, and Dr. Johnson had an influence on him choosing Dillon. He said  that Dillon seems like a great place to be in the community aspect and with a good board who supports education and the growth of the community.
Gibbs said with that type of support the sky is the limit. He said when one hears of that type of growth and leadership how could one not want to be a part of that.
Gibbs said as far as discipline is concerned that he is a no-nonsense person. He said they were here to educate and if students are doing what they are supposed to do and teachers are doing what they are supposed to do, then learning will take place.
He said students say they like to keep it real. He said that he has an acronym for real—Rigorous Education Assessment = Learning. He said he wants kids always learning. He is a firm believer that in discipline.
Gibbs said he is excited about coming to Dillon.