District human resources veteran retires

The Columbia County school system's human resources department has undergone a number of changes through the years.

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Now, for the first time in 23 years, Connie Davis no longer oversees the department.

Davis retired as the human resources executive director July 31. An educator for 34 years, she spent the past 32 years of her career in the Columbia County system.

Superintendent Charles Nagle said Davis already was an instrumental part of the system's leadership team when he joined the school system 18 years ago.

"Connie Davis has been a huge part of the growth and the excellence in Columbia County in education," he said. "We're going to miss Connie and her leadership. We wish her well in her retirement, and we also know that she'll continue to be close by if we need her."

Davis is not retiring from her career altogether, however. She will become the part-time personnel director for the McDuffie County school system Sept. 1.

"I don't know that I could retire if I didn't have this opportunity," Davis said.

She started her career in Columbia County as a counselor at Harlem High School. She also served as a Harlem Middle School assistant principal and a curriculum coordinator and director of counseling.

She said her human resources position originated as an administrative assistant to the superintendent. Her duties included public relations, board relations and human resources.

"When I started, I had one secretary," Davis said.

At that time, she handled the school system's publications, policies and procedures, programming and community partnerships.

"Now, I've got a staff of six, and all we do is human resources," Davis said.

She also said the number of schools in the system has doubled since she was hired.

"As we grew, it just separated into human resources," Davis said.

Anthony Wright, who formerly served as the assistant director, was named as the department's executive director in July.