A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR Dr. James "Chuck" Epps Jr., Superintendent of Fort Mill School District, UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AFTER forty-nine YEARS OF visionary SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives have learned that Dr. Chuck Epps will begin a well-deserved retirement after forty-nine years as a distinguished educator, the last forty-five of which have been in the Fort Mill School District (FMSD). For the past fifteen years, he has led one of the fastest-growing and highest-performing school districts in the Palmetto State; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Epps has led FMSD as superintendent while enrollment has nearly doubled to over 18,400 students across twenty schools, with two additional schools under construction and an early childhood center in planning. To support expansion, he led FMSD to become the first school district in the State to implement an impact fee and guided the passage of four community-approved bond referenda; and

 

Whereas, during his tenure, nine new schools have opened, including the new Riverview Elementary location, a third high school, a new district office, two transportation and maintenance hubs to enhance operational efficiency, and the development of facilities that benefit both students and the broader community, such as the Comporium Athletic Park (CAP) and Fort Mill Aquatic Center; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Epps' leadership has ensured that FMSD remains one of the top-performing districts in the State and the nation. The district has  led the State in most academic categories for traditional K-12 schools: has been named to the AP District Honor Roll multiple times; far exceeded state and national SAT, ACT, and AP performance benchmarks annually; maintained a higher than a ninety-five percent graduation rate; seen more than eighty percent of graduates enroll in a two- or four-year college or technical program; expanded dual enrollment college credit course offerings; and strengthened Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in collaboration with technical schools; and

 

Whereas, FMSD's success under Dr. Epps' leadership has received numerous accolades at the state and national levels: named Best School District in South Carolina and the Charlotte Area multiple times by Niche, ranked in the top 1.4 percent of more than 10,500 school districts nationally, and earned multiple National Blue Ribbon and Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School awards; and

 

Whereas, for his leadership and dedication, Dr. Epps was recognized as the 2024 Administrator of the Year by the South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association; and

 

Whereas, Dr. Epps has been influential in the education and business communities, holding leadership roles in professional organizations, such as the South Carolina Association of School Administrators, the American Association of School Administrators, and Phi Delta Kappa. His expertise in school finance, strategic planning, and community engagement has been widely recognized. He has served on the boards of the Fort Mill Rotary Club, the Fort Mill Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Clubs of York County, the Springs Close Foundation, and Clemson University's Board of Visitors; and

 

Whereas, after he retires on June 30, 2025, he plans to continue in a support role through December 2025 to help smooth the transition as the next superintendent takes the helm; and

 

Whereas, grateful for his years of distinguished service in education and for his legacy of excellence, collaboration and innovation, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Chuck Epps as he transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of days ahead, and the members wish him years of enjoyment in his well-earned retirement. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Dr. James "Chuck" Epps Jr., superintendent of Fort Mill School District, upon the occasion of his retirement after forty-nine years of visionary service, and wish him continued success and happiness in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. James "Chuck" Epps Jr.

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