News Summary
As the new school year kicks off in Newberry County, safety remains a top priority following a recent shooting incident. Interim Superintendent Dr. Chan Anderson is focused on enhancing security measures while encouraging students to form new friendships and engage in their studies. Parents are advised to be patient with initial traffic as school operations stabilize. The district reassures families that enhanced safety protocols are in place. The community spirit shines as families are invited to share first-day school photos for publication.
Newberry, SC — A New School Year Begins Amid Security Concerns
The first day of school in Newberry County is officially underway, marking a significant moment for students and educators alike as the academic year kicks off following a recent security incident. The Newberry County School District is navigating this transition with a focus on safety and growth.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Chan Anderson has outlined key priorities for the school year, emphasizing the importance of safety measures in schools. In light of a recent shooting incident in Prosperity, the district is particularly vigilant as students return to classes. Schools were briefly placed under a precautionary lockdown, but normal operations have since resumed.
Parents dropping off and picking up their children are requested to exercise patience as traffic flow may take time to stabilize during the initial school days. The administration has reassured families that traffic operations will improve as the year progresses. To make the wait more comfortable, parents are encouraged to bring activities such as books or puzzles to keep themselves occupied while in car lines.
Amidst the concerns, students are encouraged to embrace the new school year as an opportunity to make new friends, focus on their studies, and practice kindness and respect towards one another.
On the subject of the recent shooting incident, a gunfire incident on Langford Street in Prosperity prompted a brief lockdown at Prosperity-Rikard Elementary School and an alert for the nearby Mid-Carolina campus. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the lockdown lasted less than 20 minutes. The suspect, 39-year-old Elbert Epps, has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and drug possession. The district’s security protocol has been reassessed to ensure the safety of students and staff following this event.
Dr. Chan Anderson, appointed as Interim Superintendent of Newberry County School District on June 30, previously served as superintendent in Chesterfield County. He is currently leading the district during this transitional phase as the South Carolina School Boards Association has been engaged to find a permanent superintendent.
The school district is also celebrating the start of the year in a community-oriented way by inviting parents and families to share their children’s first-day school photos. Submissions are being accepted for publication in next week’s edition, and the deadline for these entries is set for Monday at 3 p.m.
As Newberry County Schools open their doors, the collective focus remains on ensuring a productive, enjoyable, and safe academic year for all students and staff.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WIS News: Newberry County Elementary School Locked Down
- Wikipedia: Newberry County, South Carolina
- WLTX: Shooting in Prosperity, SC
- Google Search: Newberry County School District
- WACH: Interim Superintendent Named for Newberry County School District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- Gainesville Sun: Alachua County School District Oks Newberry Community School
- Google News: Newberry Schools Shooting
- WYFF: Newberry County School Bus Crash
- Google Scholar: Newberry County School Incident
- WCJB: State Commission Approves Newberry Elementary to Charter School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public School
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
