Laurens - The Laurens School District 55 Board of Trustees acknowledges and confirms the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland, effective June 30, 2026.
At the June 4, 2026 Special-Called School Board Meeting, LCSD 55 Chair Cathy Little stated, “On behalf of the Board, we extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Penland for his 31 years of dedicated service in education and for his leadership of Laurens School District 55. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving students, supporting educators, and advancing opportunities for the children and families of our community. We are grateful for the positive impact he has made on our district and the lasting contributions he has provided through his years of service.”
“The Board is working closely with Dr. Penland to ensure a smooth and orderly transition and remains committed to maintaining stability and continuity for our students, staff, and families during this period. An announcement regarding the appointment of an interim superintendent will be forthcoming. We thank Dr. Penland for his years of service to public education and wish him continued success and fulfillment in retirement,” added Little.
In his statement, Dr. Jody Penland confirms dedicating the next couple of weeks to work on making a smooth transition. June 30, 2026 is his last day serving as LCSD 55 Superintendent.
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