Rock Hill elementary school chooses new principal

John Kirell, has been named the new principal of Ebenezer Avenue Elementary School , the school district announced Tuesday. He has been with Rock Hill schools for 20 years.

Ebenezer’s current principal Chris Beard is retiring after 29 years with the district. Kirell starts July 1.  Kirell was formerly principal at Castle Heights Middle School and Belleview Elementary School.

Kirell most recently assisted the Rock Hill School District’s personnel department with special projects and in April 2016, the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children named Kirell principal of the year.

Kirell earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Winthrop University.