A senate RESOLUTION

TO HONOR AND CONGRATULATE DR. CRAIG WITHERSPOON, SUPERINTENDENT OF RICHLAND COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE, ON THE OCCASION OF HIS UPCOMING RETIREMENT, TO EXPRESS THE DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR HIS TEN YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, AND TO WISH HIM A FULFILLING AND WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT.

Whereas, Dr. Craig Witherspoon has dedicated thirty-seven years to the field of education, serving with passion and distinction as a teacher, principal, instructional leader, and superintendent across four states: Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina; and

Whereas, since assuming the role as superintendent of Richland County School District One on March 23, 2015, Dr. Witherspoon has led the district with integrity and vision. His decade of dedicated service to the district will draw to a close on June 30, 2025; and

Whereas, Richland One, the tenth-largest school district in South Carolina, serves more than 22,000 students across fifty-two schools and centers, encompassing urban, suburban, and rural communities. Under Dr. Witherspoon's leadership, the district has flourished academically, operationally, and culturally; and

Whereas, among his many accomplishments, Dr. Witherspoon oversaw the launch of South Carolina's first high school Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program in 2018, one of only six in the nation, and established a groundbreaking firefighter training program in partnership with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. The district's graduation rate rose to unprecedented levels, exceeding the state average, and Richland One was awarded more than $30 million in federal Magnet Schools Assistance Program grants; and

Whereas, during his tenure, the district and individual schools and departments earned numerous accolades, including recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School; two National Schools to Watch; and multiple awards for health, academic innovation, and energy conservation. Richland One became home to the state's first two Visible Learning+ Certified Schools and received national recognition from Johns Hopkins University, the Special Olympics, and the Association for Middle Level Education; and

Whereas, Dr. Witherspoon's outstanding leadership has been recognized by his peers through numerous honors, including the 2024 Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina Alliance of Black School Educators, the 2022 Class 3A/2A/1A Superintendent of the Year by the S.C. Athletic Administrators Association, and Administrator of the Year awards from both state and local educational organizations; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are profoundly grateful for Dr. Witherspoon's unwavering dedication to educational excellence and equity, and they celebrate his enduring impact on generations of learners, educators, and communities. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, honor and congratulate Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Superintendent of Richland County School District One, on the occasion of his upcoming retirement, express the deepest appreciation for his ten years of exemplary service to the students and families, and wish him a fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Craig Witherspoon.

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