Dr. Rick Maxey Named 2024 Superintendent of the Year

Congratulations to Dr. Rick Maxey, Superintendent of Horry County Schools, who was named the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) 2024 Superintendent of the Year. This award is presented annually to a district superintendent as part of the national Superintendent of the Year program of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). SCASA participates in this program, and state nominations come directly to SCASA. The SCASA Superintendent Awards Committee reviews the applications and selects finalists, who are then interviewed by a team of educators and community leaders before SCASA announces the winner.

Dr. Maxey has served Horry County Schools (HCS) since 1989. He began as an English teacher at Loris High School and has since served in a number of administrative positions, including as principal of both Carolina Forest High and Conway High, Executive Director for both middle and secondary schools, and Principal Specialist for Support Services, where he supervised the Department of Special Education. Dr. Maxey was also the Deputy Superintendent for HCS for more than three years, where he supervised District Operations in the areas of facilities, food services, student affairs, and transportation. He has served in his current role as Superintendent since 2015. 

Prior to beginning his career in secondary education, Dr. Maxey was an Instructor of English at both Presbyterian College and Clemson University. Dr. Maxey earned master’s and doctoral degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of South Carolina. He also earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Clemson University. His lifetime emphasis on education stems from his status as the first college graduate in his family. This background has instilled in him a deep commitment to educational excellence and a passion for improving students' lives.

SCASA is a professional organization for school leaders in South Carolina, with a membership of more than 5,100. From leadership development opportunities and research to publications and legislative advocacy, SCASA focuses on supporting school leaders in providing the best possible education for South Carolina’s young people. As a state affiliate of three national associations for school leaders, SCASA also works on the national level.