Pictured above, from left: Southern Elementary Principal Laura Pugh and Southern Elementary Assistant Principal Mark Hegyi, were photographed in front of the District’s Mission Statement, which is, "to meet the unique needs of our students through a culture of Expectation, Engagement  and Continuous Growth so every student is prepared for the 21st Century."

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

In the summer of 2012 Southern Elementary Principal Joe Buerkley was hired by the Pendleton County School System to fill an administrative position in its central office. Then, Southern Elementary Assistant Principal Laura Pugh was hired as Southern’s new principal. Mrs. Pugh was once a student at Southern Elementary. She taught the first and second grades at Southern, simultaneously, for one year.