One principal, two administrators named
SEPTEMBER 23, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jackie Ellis, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resource Services, 919-560-2353
DURHAM—The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has approved the appointment of one new principal and two central office administrators.
They are:
- Pearsontown Elementary School: Dionne McLaughlin, Assistant Principal of Chapel Hill High School since 2006. She replaces Therman Flowers, who is no longer with Durham Public Schools.
McLaughlin was an assistant principal at Jordan High during the 2005-2006 school year and served as principal/headmaster in Boston Public Schools from 2003-2005. She is fluent in Spanish and has had considerable experience working with the Latino community.
McLaughlin received her Master’s from Harvard Graduate School of Education with a concentration in Adolescents at Risk. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina. - Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services: Dr. Julie Spencer, Principal of Carrington Middle School since 2004. She is a long-time Durham principal with a proven track record. She also served as an assistant principal for four years.
Spencer worked as a North Carolina Turnaround Coach for middle school principals. She was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow who earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and her Master’s in School Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. She earned her Bachelor’s in Middle Grades Education from UNC-Wilmington.
This is a repurposed position (formerly Senior Director for Professional Development) for the district. This role will assume the responsibilities of professional development and instructional services, which will allow the area superintendents the opportunity to focus solely on school improvement efforts. Instructional Services will serve as a support to the area superintendents and schools.
Holly Emanuel, Carrington Assistant Principal, will serve as the interim principal at the school while the principal selection is conducted. - Executive Director – Budget and Management Services: Paul LeSieur will join Durham Public Schools from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where he is currently the Director of School Business Services.
LeSieur brings 24 years of experience to DPS. He currently oversees development and administration of the $7.5 billion State Public School Fund as well as allocations of over $1 billion in federal funding.
LeSieur has specialized expertise in federal programs and provides technical assistance as well as interpretation of state and federal regulations and funding to other North Carolina school districts.
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