On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the School District of Pickens County Board of Trustees approved the Superintendent’s recommendation to name Mr. Travis Chapman as Director of Assessment, effective July 1, 2026. Mr. Chapman will transition into the district-level role at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year.

A long-time school leader, Mr. Chapman has served as Principal of Dacusville Elementary School since 2018, following prior principal and assistant principal roles in both Pickens County and Anderson School District Five.

Throughout his career, he has worked extensively with assessment systems, accountability measures, and the use of data to support instructional planning and school improvement. As Director of Assessment, Mr. Chapman will oversee district-wide assessment programs, testing administration, reporting, and compliance with state and federal accountability requirements.

“Mr. Chapman brings years of experience working directly with assessment systems at the school level,” said Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck. “His background as a principal gives him a strong understanding of how assessment practices connect to instruction, planning, and communication.”

Mr. Chapman holds a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Furman University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Winthrop University. He has more than two decades of experience in education, including service as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal.

The search for the next principal of Dacusville Elementary School will begin immediately, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.