Lifetime Durham educator tapped for Hillside helm
June 13, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Calvin Dobbins, Associate Superintendent Administrative Services, 560-3736
DURHAM--Eunice O’Neal Sanders, principal at Rogers-Herr Middle School, has been appointed principal of Hillside High School. She will replace Henry J. Pankey, who has announced his pending return to New York City Schools.
Sanders, a Durham native and graduate of its public schools, has been principal at Rogers-Herr since spring 2000, where she opened Durham Public Schools’ first full year-round middle school to overwhelming success the following fall. Before that she was principal at C.C. Spaulding Biosphere Elementary Magnet School for five years. She previously served as an assistant principal at Neal Middle School and as a teacher at several schools throughout the district.
Sanders was named Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year 2002, and was later named Principal of the Year 2002 for the Central Region of the state of North Carolina.
Hillside High School faculty, staff, students and parents, along with several Durham Public Schools Central Services officials, have developed a comprehensive plan that will significantly augment the school’s overall structure and instructional services. Sanders said she is invigorated by the opportunity to work with the Hillside community to effectively implement the new plan, attract students from diverse backgrounds, and establish higher expectations for students and staff.
"Hillside High School is a state-of-the-art facility, and together we can make it a state-of-the-art, total high school for a diverse population," said Sanders. "We must continue to make sure that the environment at Hillside fosters continually increased academic standards."
Sanders holds master’s degrees in special education and administration, along with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology, from North Carolina Central University.
"I have supreme confidence that Eunice Sanders will take to Hillside High School a clear focus, far-reaching vision, incomparable leadership skills and an unwavering dedication to excellence in implementing the new Hillside plan," said Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger. "Her quarter-century of instructional and administrative experience, her deep commitment to the young people of Durham and her consummate capacity to work with students and families of every conceivable background establish Ms. Sanders as the top choice for Hillside."
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