Saluda River Academy for the Arts will have a new principal for the 2023-2024 school year.

Brandon Brantly, who currently serves as assistant principal at Riverbank Elementary, has been named to the top job at Saluda River. The hire was recommended by Lexington Two Superintendent Dr. Brenda Hafner and approved by the Board of Trustees at its April 18 meeting.

Brantly joined Lexington Two in 2019 as an instructional facilitator for Riverbank Elementary and Saluda River Academy for the Arts before moving into his current role at Riverbank in 2021. Prior to that, Brantly taught in several Midlands area schools, among them Forts Pond Elementary (third and fourth grades), Deerfield Elementary (fourth grade), and Carolina Springs Elementary (third grade), all in Lexington 1. He started his teaching career in 2011 at Lexington-Richland 5’s Nursery Road Elementary (fourth grade). Brantly received a bachelor’s degree and M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue serving the students and families of Lexington School District Two as the principal of Saluda River Academy for the Arts,” Brantly said.  “I am excited to work together with teachers, students, and community members to provide our students with authentic arts-enriched experiences that enhance the learning for all. Moving forward, my goal is to continue the tradition of excellence that has been established at SRAA.”

Brantly succeeds Jim LeBlanc, who has been named Interim Executive Director of the Lexington Two Performing Arts Center (L2PAC), scheduled to open early next year.

Brantly begins his new role on July 1.