Bluffton’s McCracken Middle will have new principal next school year. What we know

H.E. McCracken Middle School in Bluffton will have a new principal for the next school year.

Ryan Milling is still serving as principal for the current school year, Candace Bruder, spokesperson for the Beaufort County School District, confirmed via text message on Friday.

Students’ last school day is June 5.

When reached by phone Friday afternoon, Milling would not comment and referred all questions to the school district.

Bruder would not say whether Milling is leaving the district or being reassigned.

“The district will release administrative staff assignments during the summer,” Bruder wrote.

When asked whether any McCracken administrator or school counselor was on administrative leave, Bruder said the district was unable to comment on personnel matters.

She shared an email sent by the district to parents on May 8 with a reminder students would be involved in state testing. That email said, “All student services and normal operations are continuing at H.E. McCracken. Personnel from the district office are providing additional support to the school.”

A screenshot of a separate email from the district posted on Facebook included a survey “to gather stakeholder input as we work diligently to find the best possible candidate to serve as the next principal of H.E. McCracken Middle School.”

Milling served as assistant principal at McCracken before becoming principal in the 2021-22 school year. He began his educational career as a school counselor and held positions in Darlington, Fort Mill and Florence School District Three before coming to Beaufort County in 2020, according to previous reporting in The Island Packet. He holds master’s degrees in educational leadership and counseling and development, both from Winthrop University.