A Southport school leader is saying farewell.
Longtime administrator Dr. Vicky Snyder recently announced that she will retire as head of South Brunswick High on Feb. 1.
She came to Brunswick County in 2004 as assistant principal of North Brunswick High School in Leland.
From there, she went on in 2006 to be the founding principal and driving force behind the district’s successful early college high school.
Located on the campus of Brunswick Community College, the early college program has consistently maintained a graduation rate above the county and state average and has outperformed most other schools in the district on state performance assessments.
Following her stellar record at Brunswick County Early College High School, Snyder was appointed in 2013 as principal at South Brunswick High. She replaced Wayne Price, who was principal at South for three years. Price was transferred to Leland Middle School.
In June, Snyder announced, amid some outcry from her supporters, that she would not fight a sudden decision by Superintendent Les Tubb to transfer her elsewhere.
“After graduation, I too will be transitioning into the next phase of my life. I have personally reached the decision that my contributions to the students in Brunswick County will be better served in a new assignment…It is very important for those who have so graciously supported me over the past two weeks to understand that this is my decision, not one that has been forced upon me,” Snyder wrote in an email to South Brunswick staff and parents.
“Although my recent conversation with Mr. Tubb was difficult, I am thankful for his honesty. Discussions about my new assignment are underway and I am excited to continue my work in Brunswick County.”
That “new assignment” never came, after the Brunswick County Board of Education ultimately decided to keep her in her post.
Earlier this month, the board agreed to put Robert Grimes, retired assistant superintendent, in Snyder’s place. Like Snyder, Grimes has a long list of accolades, having received statewide attention for turning the once-struggling North Brunswick High School.
