Kim Bagwell was named interim superintendent of the Cherokee County School District for the new school year.

School trustees voted unanimously to have Bagwell continue as interim superintendent while a search for a permanent school superintendent is conducted. Bagwell served as acting superintendent for the final three months of the 2009-2010 school year after the retirement of longtime district superintendent Dr. Bill James.

Bagwell, a lifelong Gaffney resident, has worked for the school district for 26 years. She has worked as elementary education coordinator in the district office. She has been an elementary school principal for the district at Northwest, Draytonville, Blacksburg and Luther Vaughan elementary schools. She has worked as an assistant principal at Granard Middle and Gaffney High.

“I appreciate the support of the school board in allowing me to serve as interim superintendent,” Bagwell said. “I want my focus to be on curriculum and instruction so I can work on making our schools better for the students.”

School board member Cheryll Smith made the motion to name Bagwell interim superintendent following a 73- minute meeting behind closed doors.

School trustees approved the voluntary transfer of five school principals at Monday’s meeting.

“We wanted to place school administrators with specific expertise where they could help make our schools better,” Bagwell said. “Our school district is in program improvement under No Child Left Behind. The only way the district will get out of this improvement status is for individual schools to get better.”

Jean Brewington was transferred from Gaffney Middle Principal to a curriculum specialist at Mary Bramlett Elementary, Blacksburg Elementary and Luther Vaughan Elementary. Brewington will be replaced by Shirley Sealy, who was Granard Middle principal for the past three years.

Bagwell said she has not made a decision on the Granard Middle principal vacancy.

Ashley Clary moves from Goucher Elementary Principal to Grassy Pond Elementary. Blacksburg Elementary principal Janice Keller was transferred to Goucher Elementary.

Deborah Hamrick was transferred from principal at Grassy Pond Elementary to Blacksburg Primary principal. Rita Martin moves from Blacksburg Primary principal to Blacksburg Elementary principal.