COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Richland School District One community is mourning the loss of Forest Heights Elementary School principal Dr. Jason Koepke.
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford says Koepke, 41, died in a car accident on Hayward Brockington Road Thursday.
Richland School District One Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon Friday released the following statement:
"We were shocked and saddened to learn yesterday (June 20, 2024) of the death of Forest Heights Elementary School Principal Jason Koepke. Mr. Koepke served as principal at Forest Heights for three years. Before he began his duties at Forest Heights in July 2021, Mr. Koepke was an assistant principal at St. Andrews Middle School. The district’s Crisis Team has been activated to provide support and counseling to any students and staff who may need assistance in dealing with the news of Mr. Koepke’s death. We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Koepke’s family, and we ask everyone to keep his family and the students and staff at Forest Heights in your thoughts and prayers.”
Funeral services for Koepke will be held Monday in Spartanburg.