A Brookhaven educator will be the new principal at Bogue Chitto Attendance Center.

The Lincoln County School Board this week accepted the resignation of Jay Rayborn and approved Scott Merrell as his replacement.

“Dr. Rayborn did an amazing job at Bogue Chitto,” said Lincoln County Schools Superintendent Mickey Myers.

He said he was saddened by Rayborn’s resignation and request to be released from his 2017-2018 contract, but understood his decision to take a job in Columbia, where his family is. Rayborn has been making the commute for a year, he said.

Merrell has been employed with the North Pike School District.

“He’s worked at all levels of education,” Myers said.

Merrell lives in Brookhaven and has taught at Alexander Jr. High. His wife is a nurse at King’s Daughters Medical Center. His sons, Andrew and Alex, will transfer to Bogue Chitto, Myers said.

The superintendent was pleased with the comments from references. He said the general consensus was “You won’t outwork him.”

Myers said Merrell is a man of high integrity.

“That’s where it starts with me,” he said.

Bogue Chitto’s enrollment continues to increase. In five years, it’s grown from 588 to 738 students, Myers said.

“It’s a special place and I think Mr. Merrell will be a great addition,” he said.