The Florence County School District Three board of trustees approved Superintendent Laura Hickson’s recommendation to name Francis “Mac” McDougal as principal of J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School for the 2019-2020 school year.
The board approved the recommendation Thursday during its regular monthly meeting.
McDougal is a native of Lake City and a 2000 graduate of Lake City High School. He currently serves as an interim teacher recruitment specialist for Charleston County School District. From August 2017 until December 2018, he was an assistant principal at R.B. Stall High School. Before being named an assistant principal, McDougal was the director of choral activities and piano instructor at West Ashley High School for 10 years.
“Mr. McDougal is a product of Florence County School District Three, so he is knowledgeable of our district and the communities we serve,” said FCSD3 Superintendent Laura Hickson. “His strong background in the arts and technology make him a perfect fit for J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School. We are excited to have him return home to Florence Three.”
“There is so much culture and growth in the Lake City community,” McDougal commented Thursday. “When the opportunity arose to apply to be the principal of J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School, it was clear to me that this was a chance to be a part of this fast-growing culture of the arts in our town,” McDougal said.
McDougal earned a Bachelor of Music degree in K-12 music education and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Winthrop University. He also earned a Master of Educational Administration degree from the University of South Carolina and expects to receive his Education Specialist degree from The Citadel later this year.
“The pillars of my educational beliefs lie in the education of ALL students, and that we are responsible in molding them into becoming leaders around the world, as well as proud representatives of Lake City,” McDougal said. “I truly believe that kids deserve an excited adult and need the best of us, every day. I also believe that the support of our teachers - who are on the front lines of education - is the greatest gift that any administrator can give his or her faculty,” he added. “I am truly honored that Superintendent Hickson would put her faith in me to lead JPT. I look forward to serving the students of Florence County School District Three.”