AIKEN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES NEW PRINCIPAL AT RIDGE SPRING-MONETTA ELEMENTARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 21, 2025

A proven educational leader with over two decades of experience, Lydia Bon-Perez brings a deep commitment to student achievement, educator support, and community engagement to her new role as Principal of Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary School.

“This promotion is incredibly meaningful to me on both a personal and professional level,” Bon-Perez shared. “Personally, it represents the opportunity to plant roots and make a lasting impact in a community that values education and student growth. Professionally, it’s the culmination of over 20 years of service in education and an opportunity to lead with purpose, support educators, and help every child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.” 

Following a long career as a teacher, media specialist, Multilingual Learner (ML) Compliance Coordinator and Instructional Coach in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Bon-Perez and her family moved to South Carolina in 2020 and she joined Aiken County Public Schools as a third-grade teacher at Greendale Elementary. Later that year, she was named as Greendale’s Assistant Principal for the 2021-22 school year, a role that allowed her to demonstrate excellence in instructional coaching and implementation of early literacy and mathematics programming while gaining extensive experience in school operations.

Bon-Perez earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Florida International University and a master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She is bilingual (speaking both English and Spanish), certified in Educational Leadership as well as Elementary Education, and has ESOL (English as a Second Language) Endorsement and credentials to serve as a Library Media Specialist.

“What drew me to Ridge Spring-Monetta was the powerful sense of community, pride, and potential,” she shared. “There’s a strong foundation here, and I’m inspired by the commitment of the staff and families to nurturing the whole child. I’m especially excited that the school is launching Leader in Me. I’ve always believed in the 7 Habits framework teaching children to be proactive, set goals, and lead with integrity prepares them not only for academic success, but for life.” 

Bon-Perez began her new role in July and is committed to honoring the rich traditions of the community while helping students, teachers, staff, and families grow forward together. “I believe in open communication, high expectations, and celebrating progress,” she continued. “I’m here to listen, learn, and lead.”