(updated on July 13, 2010)

Vann Pennell has been named the principal of St. James High School, filling the position created upon the retirement of the current principal, Joe Dowling. April Scott has been named the principal at Forestbrook Middle School, filling the position created as current principal Margaret Sordian transfers to become the principal at Conway Middle School. Robin Jones has been named interim principal for the Academy of Arts, Science, and Technology.

Pennell comes to Horry County Schools from South Brunswick High School in Southport, N.C., where he has been the principal since 2005. With more than 30 years of experience in education and educational administration, Pennell has been an assistant superintendent, a principal at three high schools, an assistant principal, teacher and coach in North Carolina schools.

Pennell has received a number of honors including being named the Camden County Principal of the Year, the North Eastern Regional Principal of the Year, and Conference Football Coach of the Year.  In 2009 he was selected as the Southeastern Regional Principal of the Year. In the Spring of 2009 he was awarded the "Razor Walker Award" for educators by the Watson School of Education at UNCW. He earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Education Specialist’s degrees at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

Scott will begin her first principalship after serving as the assistant principal at St. James Middle School for the last four years. She was previously a science teacher at the former Carolina Forest Middle School and was formerly a high school science teacher for Lee County Schools in Jonesville, VA. She brings 10 years of experience to her new role. Scott is a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. 

Jones has worked for Horry County Schools for 10 years, most recently serving as an assistant principal at Carolina Forest High School since 2005. She brings 25 years experience to the position, including time as a career and technology teacher, marketing professional, and computer trainer and consultant. Jones has a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University.