Hope School Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley finalist for S.C. position

CONWAY, S.C. – On Monday, December 9, the Horry County, South Carolina Board of Education announced the top three finalists for Horry County Schools’ next superintendent. The finalists include Hope School District Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Crossley. The other finalists are Clifford R. Jones, currently the Chief of Staff of Fulton County Schools in Fulton, Georgia, and Dr. Michael Thorsland, currently the superintendent of the School District of Oconee County in Walhalla, South Carolina.

Dr. Crossley is a South Carolina native and earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina in 2010. He began his 14-year-long education career as a high school English Language Arts teacher in Palestine, AR, where he was later named the Arkansas Teacher of the Year for 2014. He continued his studies, earning a Master of Education, Educational Specialist, and Doctor of Education – all specialized in Educational Leadership – from Arkansas Tech University. His career includes three years of service as a principal in Little Rock, one year working for the Arkansas Department of Education, and two years as an assistant superintendent in Pine Bluff. He has held his current position as Superintendent of Hope School District since 2021.

On Tuesday, December 10, the three finalists spent A Day in the District and visited multiple schools and attendance areas. The public was able to attend a meet and greet opportunity with the three candidates Tuesday evening.

The second round of interviews will be conducted in Executive Session at a Special Called Horry County Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, December 11, at 2 pm.