Polaris Tech names acting director after school's leader resigns

Polaris Tech Charter School will have new leadership for the upcoming school year. 

The Ridgeland school said executive director Fred Hunter submitted his resignation effective June 15, stating he wanted to pursue other professional opportunities. 

Kim Statler will lead Polaris Tech into the 2022-23 school year as acting executive director, a news release said. 

The school said Statler was one of its founders who helped lead the effort to secure financing for its facilities. Statler was part of the original planning committee and has served on the board of directors from the start. She resigned from the board earlier this month, the release said. 

“We are thrilled that Mrs. Statler has agreed to take the helm at this important time in the growth of Polaris Tech,” said retired Gen. Lloyd “Fig” Newton, chair of the school's board. 

Newton said Statler has a deep understanding of the board and helped write the school’s original charter. 

“She truly is dedicated to the success of the learners, the staff and the entire Polaris Tech community,” he said. 

Hunter joined Polaris Tech in summer 2021. He previously was an assistant principal for a Chicago-area middle school and has more than 20 years of experience in education. 

“I remain a supporter of Polaris Tech and I will do whatever I can to support a smooth transition,” Hunter said. 

During Hunter’s year as executive director, Polaris got state approval to expand from serving grades 6-12 and become a full kindergarten to graduation school effective in 2023. 

“Dr. Hunter helped Polaris Tech as we transitioned out of the pandemic and remote learning and back into face-to-face learning. We will miss him and his easygoing manner, and wish him all the best,” Newton said. 

Statler previously was regional workforce advisor for the S.C. Department of Commerce, the release said. She has a master’s degree in health care administration from Des Moines University in Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Southeast Missouri State University. 

“I have been deeply involved in Polaris Tech since two years before we opened the school,” Statler said. “As one of the founders, and then as a board member, I’ve been closely involved and informed about what has been working and where our challenges remain. I see my job as building on the successes of my predecessors."