Experienced educator and longtime principal John Murphy will transition from school to district leadership as the school system’s new Director of Maintenance and Operations. Murphy’s appointment was approved during the regular meeting of the Aiken County Board of Education on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. He’ll begin serving in his new role in July.
“I am very honored and proud that the District Leadership and School Board have given me the opportunity to serve as the Director of Maintenance and Operations,” he commented. “Their confidence in me is most humbling. I will do my very best to ensure that our school district facilities are maintained properly and promote student and employee success in every way possible.”
Murphy began his career in 2000 as a Chemistry, Physics and Physical Science teacher and assistant athletic coach in Edgefield County School District. He has served in Aiken County Public Schools in several capacities, beginning in 2002 as a teacher and coach at Aiken High. He was promoted to an Assistant Principal position in 2006. As an administrator at Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary-Middle School, he helped establish a school discipline policy, implemented “Universal Breakfast,” and streamlined the school’s arrival and departure procedures. He took a position closer to home in 2007 as an Assistant Principal at North Augusta High School and handled books, discipline, and master scheduling for their more than 1,600 students with course offerings which included International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, College Preparatory, Technical Preparatory, and Special Education.
For the last 15 years, Murphy has served as a school principal. He was named Principal of Paul Knox Middle (PKMS) in North Augusta in 2009. Under his leadership, Paul Knox increased its state department rating, earned a Palmetto Silver Award, and grew in student enrollment. After four years of proven leadership at the middle school level, Murphy returned to North Augusta High School in 2013 to serve as principal of our district’s largest school. Over the last decade as principal, Murphy skillfully led improvements to both North Augusta’s facilities and academic program.
Under his oversight, North Augusta High School (NAHS) has undergone an $80 million dollar renovation and expansion. Murphy was at the helm of concept design and construction of the school’s four new classroom buildings, cafeteria, media center, gymnasiums, weight room, performing arts classrooms, baseball and softball fields. He also led the installation of synthetic turf in the football and soccer stadium, helped plan for the design and renovation of Jacket Stadium’s new press box and restrooms, and established landscaping improvements campuswide. North Augusta High School’s graduation rate soared to a school record high of 93% in 2016 (from 79% in 2013), and has maintained an 87% graduation rate or above since 2017. In association with the National Math + Science Initiative, North Augusta became an Advanced Placement (AP) Magnet School and saw dramatic increases in passing AP exam scores, from 136 in 2016 to 362 in 2020. State championship wins have been numerous, including 10 for Business (FBLA), five for Girls Basketball, two for Robotics, one for Girls Softball, and another for Boys Golf. There have been numerous individual state champions in Track and Swimming as well as Superior Ratings for Band and Chorus; and The Jacket Regiment won Lower State.
“It has been an incredible honor serving the North Augusta community as principal at PKMS and NAHS,” he shared. “I am proud of our academic, artistic, and athletic accomplishments. I am proud of our beautiful new school. I am most proud of our former students, teachers, and staff for what they’ve become.”
Murphy attained an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Clemson University in 1996, and his master’s in educational leadership from Augusta State University in 2005. He is certified in Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision. At his core, Murphy will always be a teacher and coach. He is proud to have mentored two District Teachers of the Year, many teachers who have become assistant principals, and assistant principals who have become school administrators and district leaders.
“Mr. Murphy helped create and sustain a positive culture where employee retention remains strong, and student academic, artistic, and athletic success is award-winning,” Jennifer Hart, Chief Officer of Human Resources and Administration stated. “We’re looking forward to his leadership at the District level.”
Murphy is excited for the opportunity to extend the success he’s lead at individual schools to others across the county.
“I am passionate about the importance of well-kept school facilities and how they directly correlate with student and employee achievement and success,” he shared. “I’m honored to serve in this capacity.”
