Beaufort County schools name new principals at 2 elementary schools

Beaufort County School District has named two new principals to lead its elementary schools ahead of the 2026-27 academic year. Justin Vaughn, currently assistant principal at Red Cedar Elementary, will take over the school after Dr. Kathleen Corley’s retirement. Corley, who spent 47 years in education and 27 with the district, helped establish both Bluffton and Red Cedar elementary schools. Vaughn’s career spans Beaufort County schools, including over a decade at Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts as a teacher, MTSS coordinator, and math interventionist. A former Teacher of the Year, he holds degrees in educational administration and early childhood education from the University of South Carolina and University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB). Dr. Staci Souhan, the new principal of Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts, will replace Nikki Lucas, who accepted a district-level position. Souhan currently serves as associate principal at Mounds View High School in Minnesota and brings over 20 years of experience, including leadership roles at elementary and high schools in Minnesota and teaching experience in Florida and Minnesota. She earned a doctorate and master’s in education from Hamline University and a bachelor’s in business from the University of St. Thomas. Superintendent Frank Rodriguez praised the new leaders, calling them ‘superb educators’ prepared to strengthen academic achievement and school culture. Both appointments aim to ensure student success under experienced leadership.