Calhoun County Public Schools

Believing in the Best

Building Brighter Futures Through Learning and Leadership

Calhoun County Public Schools is proving that size is no measure of strength. Through visionary leadership, deep community roots, and a steadfast commitment to student success, this rural South Carolina district continues to create meaningful opportunities that prepare its young people to thrive in a global society.

At the center of it all is Superintendent, Dr. Ferlondo Tullock, a leader guided by a simple but powerful philosophy: education is empowerment.

“Our mission is to empower young people to be able to compete and succeed in an ever-changing global society,” says Superintendent Tullock. “That really drives the work that we do with our young people, preparing them academically and vocationally so they can go out into the world of work, pursue post-secondary education, or even join the military and be successful.”

Supporting the Whole Child

Education in Calhoun County is designed to meet the needs of the whole child. The district understands that students learn best when their academic, emotional, and social well-being are supported together.

“There are several supports, both in the classroom and in the community, for our young people,” says Superintendent Tullock. “We have special education services for our more challenged learners, tutors, and instructional coaches who work alongside teachers to help students reach their potential.”

Recognizing that mental health is essential to learning, the district provides counselors in every school. “Mental health is a huge component of student success,” notes Superintendent Tullock. “We have mental health counselors in our schools to make sure those resources are there when students need them.”

Fred S. Mack, the district’s Ombudsman and Coordinator of Federal and Alternative Programs, also oversees public relations and helps ensure that Calhoun County’s message of inclusion reaches every family. “We want to make sure every child and parent feels heard and supported,” says Mack. “That means creating pathways and partnerships that remove barriers to success.”

The district’s outreach includes events like the Exceptional Children’s Expo, which brings together more than 30 vendors to provide families with access to vital community resources. “In a rural community, not everyone can get the resources,” says Superintendent Tullock. “We bring the resources to them.”

Another key support system comes through the food services department. Every student receives free breakfast and lunch daily, eliminating the worry of unpaid balances or unequal access to meals. “Every young person in our district receives free meals,” Superintendent Tullock explains. “There are no alternative meals because someone can’t pay. Everyone eats, every day.”

Community Ties That Span Generations

Calhoun County Public Schools is deeply intertwined with the community it serves. Families who once filled the classrooms as students now return to enroll their own children, creating a powerful sense of continuity and pride.

“The community here is a huge supporter of the schools,” says Superintendent Tullock. “A lot of our parents and grandparents were students in this district. Now, their children are walking the same halls they once did.”

The district’s early childhood programs, including a three-year-old Montessori program and a traditional four-year-old kindergarten, start that lifelong learning journey early. “It’s really touching,” says Superintendent Tullock. “I’ll walk into a school and see a young face that looks familiar, and they’ll say, ‘Hey, Dr. Tullock!’ It’s their parents’ face I recognize. To have former students bring their own children back for us to teach is the ultimate compliment.”

Partnerships That Open Doors

“We’re blessed in this district,” says Superintendent Tullock. “We reach out and connect with others in the business world, hospitals, and industries to make sure our young people are receiving the same opportunities as those in major cities.”

Superintendent Tullock serves on several local boards, including the MUSC-Orangeburg Hospital and the Disability and Special Needs Board, ensuring that the district’s students are never far from opportunity. Through a partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina, Calhoun County students can access virtual labs, emergency rooms, and operating rooms in Charleston, almost 100 miles away.

“Our students get to see firsthand what it’s like to be a medical professional,” says Superintendent Tullock. “If they’re considering a career in medicine, they don’t have to wait until college to find out if it’s right for them. They’re immersed in it before they even leave high school.”

Other local industries provide after-school jobs that can lead to full-time positions. “We’ve had students and even staff work at a local pharmaceutical company,” he explains. “It’s been so successful that some have transitioned into full-time careers there. These businesses are growing, and they’re giving our young people real-world experience close to home.”

Pathways to Careers and College

Through innovative partnerships and collaboration, Calhoun County ensures that every student can access a career or college pathway that fits their ambitions. The district partners with neighboring schools and the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College to expand its career and technical education offerings.

“We don’t have a large career center of our own, so we partner with others,” explains Superintendent Tullock. “Students can attend classes that lead to certificates or even college degrees.”

The results are impressive. “We’ve got young people who graduate with both their high school diploma and an associate’s degree,” he says proudly. “Days later, they walk across the stage again to receive their high school diploma. It’s incredible.”

This accelerated model has enabled students to complete their bachelor’s degree within two years of graduating from high school, and some continue on to earn their master’s degree shortly after. “Within four years of graduating high school, they’ve earned an associate’s, a bachelor’s, and sometimes even a master’s degree,” says Superintendent Tullock.

Investing in Safe and Modern Schools

While many of Calhoun County’s buildings have a rich history, the district remains committed to modernization and ensuring student safety.

“About 20 years ago, we went through a major renovation,” says Superintendent Tullock. “Two new K–8 schools were opened, and our high school underwent significant renovations.”

Today, efforts focus on maintaining and enhancing those facilities. “We’re updating technology, replacing safety systems and cameras, and upgrading water fountains and bathrooms for ADA compliance,” he explains. “We’re committed to maintaining clean, efficient, and welcoming learning spaces.”

That commitment is evident in the teams that care for these facilities. “Our custodial and maintenance staff are incredible,” says Superintendent Tullock. “If something goes down, they’re on it right away. Our technology staff ensures students have access to the latest tools. Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we can’t have the best.”

Education as a Calling

Superintendent Tullock’s career is rooted in a deep commitment to service and education, shaped by his upbringing and the example set by his parents.

“I have a bachelor’s in elementary education from Claflin College, a master’s in school leadership from The Citadel, and a doctorate from South Carolina State University,” he shares. “My parents were the ones who instilled in me the drive to go further.”

His father, a military man, instilled that drive in him from an early age. “My dad preached that we had to do better than he did,” says Superintendent Tullock. “He had a way of asking questions that were really instructions. ‘You’re getting your master’s next, right?’ And I’d say, ‘Yes, sir,’ because that’s what he expected.”

That encouragement became a lifelong mission. “For me, it’s about being a public servant,” he continues. “It’s about helping someone else live a better life.”

Celebrating Creativity and School Spirit

“We have a vibrant arts program,” says Superintendent Tullock. “Our art instructors really pass on their love for the arts to our students.”

Students’ artwork has become a part of the community’s landscape. “Our art students partnered with the county to create new hole markers for the local golf course,” he explains. “They also produced public art around town, and the town even paid them for their work.”

The district’s band, Thunder and Lightning, under the direction of Mr. Travis Lawton, has earned recognition well beyond county lines. The band has performed at national events, including the Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and will soon take the stage at the Sugar Bowl Parade in New Orleans. “They’re small but mighty,” says Superintendent Tullock. “They bring our community so much pride.”

Athletics have been equally transformative for students. “Our sports programs have helped many students earn college scholarships,” he says. “I’m especially proud of Coach Zam Frederick, who’s been with us for 35 years and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. His teams have won 10 state championships, more than any other in the state. That’s an incredible legacy.”

Continuing to Be the Best

“Our biggest priority over the next 18 to 24 months is continuing to focus on students,” says Superintendent Tullock. “We’re reviewing our academic, athletic, and social programs to make sure we’re keeping up with neighboring districts. We can’t offer less just because we’re small. We have to compete to keep our students here and give them every reason to stay.”

The district’s focus on innovation, community engagement, and continuous improvement ensures that Calhoun County will remain a place where students can thrive. “We have to provide optimal opportunities for our young people,” he says. “If they feel their needs are being met here, they won’t look elsewhere.”

For Superintendent Tullock, it all comes down to belief. “I tell my people all the time that we are the best district in the state, even the best district in the world,” he says. “BEST stands for Believing in each other, Empowering everyone to be their best, being Student-centred, and being Transparent and Trustworthy. If you continue to say you’re the best, you’ll believe it, and you’ll live it.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Calhoun County Public Schools

What: A small, rural South Carolina district dedicated to student success and community growth.

Where: South Carolina

Website: www.ccpsonline.net