Some 50 new principals of South Carolina schools will participate in the 18th annual Principal Induction Program scheduled for July 20 to 24 at Coastal Carolina University.

The CP&L School Leadership Executive Institute for the Principal Induction Program is designed exclusively for first-year principals to help them develop and improve leadership and presentation skills.

The academy gives participants an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns with other first-year principals, veteran principals and other experts in the field. Each participant is paired with an experienced principal who serves as a mentor. Follow-up meetings throughout the year provide additional training in leadership and management skills and serve as a forum for exchanging ideas.

The four-day summer institute will include seminars conducted by state and local experts on such topics as team building, fiscal management, educating students with disabilities, health and self renewal.

Schools from 25 school districts across the state are represented, including Darlington, Clarendon One, Oconee, Sumter District 17, Anderson, Chesterfield, Greenville, Horry, McCormick, Union, Aiken and Barnwell District 45.

Also Lexington District 1, Greenwood, Spartanburg, Saluda, Richland District 0, Dillon District 3, Orangeburg, Kershaw, Greenwood 50, Clover School District, S.C. Department of Juvenile, Barnwell District 29 and Marion District 1.

The program is sponsored by Carolina Power & Light, the School Leadership Executive Institute and Coastal Carolina University. For more information, contact Coastal's Office of Marketing Communications at 349-2087.