York School District 1 Names Three Finalists for Superintendent Position
YORK, SC—approved three candidates as finalists for the position of Superintendent.
The three finalists are (in alphabetical order):
Heath Branham currently serves as the Principal of Centerville Elementary School in Gilbert. Prior to this he served as Director of Academic Operations for Hobsons-Naviance Advantage and Executive Vice President of Academic Operations for Wake Forest Advantage. He served as the National Executive Director of School Improvement for EdisonLearning, overseeing K–12 charter schools, district and school improvement contracts, and drop-back-in centers across the country. He also held the role of Senior Vice President for EdisonLearning in South Carolina.
He previously held roles as Director of Elementary Schools in Lexington School District One and Instructional Evaluation Coordinator in the Newberry County School District. He served as Principal at Gilbert Elementary, Saxe Gotha Elementary, Prosperity-Rikard Elementary, and Whitmire Elementary. He also held the role of Assistant Principal at Hammond Hill Elementary in Aiken County, following his earlier experience as a classroom teacher at both Prosperity-Rikard Elementary and Newberry Middle School.
ranham earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Newberry College and a Master of Education in Supervision and Administration from Clemson University. He earned his Educational Specialist Degree in School Superintendency from Arkansas State University and his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University.
Shane Goodwin currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Administration for Frederick County Public Schools in Winchester, Virginia where he currently oversees Principals, Human Resources, Facilities Services, Information Technology, Planning and Construction, School Nutrition, Transportation, and Safety and Security.
Prior to this he served as Director of Human Resources and Communication in Warren County Public Schools in Virginia. He served as a Principal and Assistant Principal in Front Royal, Virginia. He worked in the Rock Hill School District for 22 years as Principal, Assistant Principal, Program Teacher, and Classroom Teacher.
Goodwin earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University and will complete a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia in May 2026.
Rodney Graves currently serves as the Director of Employee & Community Relations for Lancaster County School District, he has served as a high school principal, district leader, and athletic director and coach. A recognized advocate for student achievement and community engagement, Rodney has earned multiple statewide honors, including SC AAA Principal of the Year. He is an active leader in professional education organizations and regularly presents at state and national conferences.
Graves earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Winthrop University and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from The United States Sports Academy.
The board made its selection of the three finalists after a thorough review of applicants and interviews with semi-finalists on April 28-30, 2025. The finalists will be in the district on May 13 to tour schools and meet with staff. There will be a Community Meet and Greet that evening at 5:30 pm at Harold C Johnson Elementary School to allow parents, staff, and community members to have an opportunity to meet the three finalists.
“The board is pleased to present three highly qualified candidates for this crucial leadership position,” said Board Chair Scott Childers. “The board looks forward to the next phase in the search process.”
