At a special called board meeting held on May 26, 2026, the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees approved several administrative hires for the 2026-2027 school year. Mr. Smith, superintendent, commented, “Throughout this process, we were incredibly impressed by the quality of candidates who expressed interest in serving our district. The individuals selected for these leadership roles represent the very best in educational excellence, innovation, and student-centered leadership. Their experience, vision, and commitment to continuous improvement reflect our district’s promise of excellence for every student, every day. We are excited to welcome these outstanding leaders to our team and look forward to the positive impact they will have across our schools and community.”

Ms. Alyssa Leibman has been named Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education for the School District of Oconee County. A dedicated educational leader with experience spanning K-12 education, Ms. Leibman has served as a high school and middle school English teacher, instructional coach, K-12 English Language Arts Coordinator, principal, and 3K-12 Chief Academic Officer in districts across the Lowcountry and Pee Dee regions of South Carolina. A proud graduate of Myrtle Beach High School, Ms. Leibman earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Honors College at the College of Charleston and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Anderson University. Driven by a strong passion for expanding Fine Arts and STEAM opportunities for all students, she is thrilled to join the district leadership team and support our phenomenal secondary team.

Dr. Ashley Anderson-Murray has been named Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Instruction for the School District of Oconee County. A veteran educator with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Anderson-Murray currently serves as Director of Teacher Evaluation and Coaching for the School District of Pickens County and has previously served as a principal, assistant principal, and classroom teacher in several Upstate schools. She also serves as an adjunct professor of education at Tri-County Technical College. Dr. Anderson-Murray earned degrees from Claflin University’s Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College, Furman University, and the University of Phoenix, where she completed her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. A National Board certified teacher since 2010, she has also served on the Educator Advisory Board for the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET). She and her husband, Rashad D. Murray, have three children: Ila Raegan, Ian, and Ivy Reign Murray.

Elizabeth Piller has been named Director of Student Services for the School District of Oconee County. Mrs. Piller most recently served as Coordinator of Student Services for Anderson School District Five. With more than 20 years of experience in public and private education, her background also includes roles as an assistant principal and teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Presbyterian College, a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Clemson University. Mrs. Piller, originally from Greenville, now lives in Townville, SC. She is married to her husband, Shannon, and together they have five children and one grandchild.

Amanda Scott has been named the new principal of Walhalla Elementary School. A respected educator and proven leader, Ms. Scott brings more than a decade of experience, a heart for students, and a deep commitment to the Oconee community to her new role. She began her career in education in 2013 as a teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary School before serving as director of the district’s summer reading program and later moving into leadership as assistant principal at Keowee Elementary School in 2020 and principal in 2023. A longtime Oconee County resident for twenty-eight years and proud mother of five children, including three graduates of Seneca High School, Ms. Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Clemson University and a Master’s degree in Administration from Southern Wesleyan University, while also completing multiple leadership programs through the South Carolina Department of Education.