Montgomery a good fit for Lower Lee Elementary

Randy Burns / The Item New Lower Lee Elementary Principal David Montgomery says academic achievement is the No. 1 priority.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

David L. Montgomery makes the 50-mile trip from Hopkins every weekday to Lower Lee Elementary School in St. Charles.

Named the school's new principal in July, Montgomery, 52, hopes to make that same trip for a long time. He said he is doing exactly what he wants to do.

"In five years, I see myself still being the principal of Lower Lee Elementary School," Montgomery said.

School counselor Sylvia Scott, a Lee County native who is a graduate of Lower Lee and Mount Pleasant High School, said Montgomery has been well-received by the community.

"Students love him," Scott said. "His demeanor and mannerisms are all positive. He genuinely cares for the children and staff. It's like that old saying. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. David Montgomery cares about Lower Lee."

Montgomery said he intends to continue the long-standing tradition of Lower Lee's positive contributions to the children of southeast Lee County.

"I want parents to know that it is our goal to continue the long legacy of excellence in education that has been the hallmark of Lower Lee in this community and county for decades," he said. "I want them to know that the doors of Lower Lee are always opened to them, and they are welcome to visit the school and to sit in classes to observe. We are here for the purpose of educating their children, and nothing is more important than that."

Montgomery said parental involvement is essential to improving student learning.

"Parental involvement is important because it demonstrates to the students that education is valued by their parents, it keeps the parents informed of the academic and behavioral expectations and the opportunity to know the people working their children," he said.

Academic achievement is the first priority, Montgomery said.

"The goal of Lower Lee Elementary is to move 25 percent of the students in English language arts, math, science and social studies one performance level above their current level on MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing," Montgomery said. "PASS (Palmetto Achievement of State Standards) goals will be established when the data is received."

Parents and teachers must work together to be successful, he said.

"I believe that all children can learn, and it is the responsibility of the parents and school officials to work in concert to ensure that the educational needs of all children are met," he said. "Education is the resource that provides students the opportunity to excel and become positive contributors to their families and their communities."

Montgomery said he is committed to making sure the school's motto, "Anchored in Excellence: Every Child, Every Chance, Everyday!" becomes everyone's expectation at Lower Lee.

Montgomery, who earned a master's in education from the University of South Carolina in August 1987, was a teacher and administrator in Richland School District 2 for almost 20 years. He became the assistant principal at Lee Central High School in January 2007.

For the past 13 years, Montgomery has also been the pastor of the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Camden. He is scheduled to graduate from Erskine Theological Seminary in May with a master's of divinity degree.

He is married to Denise Montgomery. They have three children and one granddaughter. Their youngest son, Derwin, a senior at Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, N.C., was recently elected to the Winston-Salem City Council.



Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.