From staff reports
The Beaufort County School District (BCSD) has selected veteran administrator Mellow Lee, Ph.D., as the District’s Deputy Superintendent.
“Dr. Mellow Lee’s extensive experience, visionary leadership, and passion for student well-being make her an exceptional fit for the role of Deputy Superintendent,” BCSD Superintendent Frank Rodriguez said in a news release. “Her innovative initiatives and dedication to educational excellence align with our district’s priority of continuing to move academic achievement forward.”
Lee’s hiring fills a vacancy created when Duke Bradley III resigned as Deputy Superintendent in February 2022. He was initially hired in 2020.
Lee’s career spans more than 24 years in education, primarily with the Kanawha County Schools in Charleston, W.Va. Her journey began in 1999 as a teacher at Watts Elementary. She served as the assistant principal at South Charleston Middle School and later assumed the role of principal at three different schools.
Under Lee’s leadership, Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary achieved the prestigious Leader in Me Lighthouse status. She was also piloted the Handle with Care initiative, a groundbreaking collaboration between schools and law enforcement that supports children exposed to traumatic events. This program, now implemented nationwide, reflects Lee’s approach to student welfare.
From 2018 to 2020, Lee served as a Transformation Specialist, focusing on elevating academic achievement in low-performing schools. Her efforts were instrumental in driving positive outcomes for students and schools alike. Most recently, she held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools.
Lee’s academic journey includes a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Virginia State University, a Master’s degree in leadership studies from Marshall University, and a Doctorate degree in educational administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is an active member of the education community, participating in the West Virginia State University College of Professional Studies Advisory Board and frequently presenting at education conferences. Her contributions have been recognized through accolades such as the Principal of the Year award in 2013 and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the City of Charleston.
“I am honored to join the Beaufort County School District as Deputy Superintendent,” Lee in a released statement. “I look forward to collaborating with the district’s talented educators, administrators, and staff to provide the students of Beaufort County with an empowering learning environment.”
Lee’s responsibilities as Deputy Superintendent include supervising executive directors who, in turn, oversee principals at the district’s schools, ensuring a cohesive and effective educational experience for students across the district. She will be paid a salary of $167,606.40 a year.
