LUMBERTON — After two hours behind closed doors, the Board of Education of the Public Schools of Robeson County announced its slate of principals, assistant principals and the central office leadership team for the 2018-19 school year.
Brian Freeman said fellow board’s members are “coming together” behind Superintendent Shanita Wooten.
“It went well tonight,” Freeman said. “The correct question tonight is: Is the superintendent happy?”
Larry Brooks will take over as principal of Lumberton Senior High School from Larry Obeda, who moves to Red Springs High. Another high school change sees Jonathan Blue leaving Prospect Elementary to be principal of South Robeson.
Remaining in place at Purnell Swett is Clyde Leviner. Ronald Prater remains principal of Fairmont High and Christopher Suggs at St. Pauls High.
New middle school principals are Kristy West at Orrum, Sharon Breeden at Red Springs, Sherry Park at Rowland and Chris Burton at St. Pauls. Burton and Breeden were promoted from assistant principals, and Park transferred from R.B. Dean, where she was principal. West transfers from East Robeson Elementary.
Continuing at their middle school posts are Tony Britt at Carroll Middle, Darlene Cummins at Fairmont Middle, Hawhana Locklear at Fairgrove, Kendall Hamilton at Littlefield, Anthony Barton at Pembroke, and Andre Ramseur at Townsend.
Savon Maultsby was promoted to principal of Lumberton Junior High School from assistant principal.
Among K-8 schools, Charles Locklear was promoted to principal of Magnolia School. Tona Jacobs was named principal of Parkton School, transferring from Pembroke Elementary. John Brooks was transferred to Prospect from St. Pauls Middle.
Christopher Clark was transferred to the Early College from South Robeson High School. Mark Smith remains at the Career Center.
Elementary school principals are: Lewis Cox at East Robeson, who was promoted from assistant principal; Tawanna Curry remains at Green Grove; Amy Baker remains at Janie Hargrave; Billy Amanda Tyner remains at Long Branch; Paul Locklear remains at Oxendine; JoAnna Hunt was transferred to Pembroke Elementary from Tanglewood; Melinda Sellers remains at Peterson; Nikki Brooks remains at Piney Grove; Angela Faulkner was transferred to R.B. Dean from Lumberton Junior; Kendra Deese was transferred to Rex-Rennert from Parkton; Isabel Jones remains at Rosenwald; Tara Bullard was transferred to Rowland-Norment from West Lumberton; Jill Hathaway remains at St. Pauls; Shawn Feeko was transferred to Tanglewood from Rowland-Norment; Antonio Wilkins remains at Union Chapel; Sheri Dial Herndon remains at Union; and Lisa Troy was transferred to Knuckles from the Early College.
In the central office, Karen Brooks-Floyd was promoted to assistant superintendent from principal of Red Springs Middle School. Melissa Thompson was promoted to assistant superintendent from director of licensure. Jennifer Freeman was named assistant superintendent, moving from the Department of Public Instruction. Ebony Massey was promoted to director of school transformation from a position as curriculum specialist in Cumberland County.
Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Younce resigned.
Outgoing member and Chairperson Peggy Wilkins Chavis was given a plaque for her service. In a brief speech, she said she regretted the closing of West Lumberton Elementary School, which is in her district.
“This school remains in the flood zone,” she said. “I don’t agree that it was more than 50 percent damaged.
“If we could have reopened it, it would not have enough students to remain a open.”
Wilkins Chavis, who lost the May 8 primary race for her District 3 seat to Linda Emanuel, urged the board members to work together and to get behind their superintendent.
