The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has approved new principals for Durham School of the Arts and Brogden Middle School.
Don Jones
Principal, Durham School of the Arts
Veteran educator Don Jones will return to the Durham School of the Arts as its principal, effective July 1. Jones served as DSA’s principal intern and assistant principal from 2017-2021. Jones is currently the principal of Lakewood Montessori School since 2021.
While at Lakewood, Jones’ leadership has been transformational: staff rated his trustworthiness at 100 percent; he empowered employees to lead within the school; and he employed comprehensive school community engagement, underscoring the critical importance of engaging all communities to advance student success.
Much of Jones’ 28-year career has been spent with Durham Public Schools.
In addition to having National Board certification, Jones earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from The Pennsylvania State University; a Master of Arts in Teaching from Duke University; and a Master of School Administration from North Carolina State University.
Jones said he will strive to strengthen and leverage the 6-12 continuum through improved vertical alignment, with an understanding of the need to foster a stronger sense of “oneness” between the middle and high school communities.
“I am thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to serve the DSA community and to work alongside what I know to be tremendously talented staff and students. I am eager to begin the work ahead and look forward to celebrating the artistic, academic, and athletic growth and achievement in our students’ future,” he said.
Desirae Smith
Principal, Brogden Middle School
Desirae Smith, who has served Brogden Middle School as assistant principal since 2022, has been named principal, effective June 16.
Smith’s leadership has advanced Brogden’s student achievement and helped to build staff capacity. Her data-informed school improvement goals in academic and equity priorities and practices played a critical role in Brogden’s designation as a school in the top 20% of schools in North Carolina. Smith’s co-leadership helped advance Brogden’s standing as a school that exceeded growth in school years 2022, 2023, and 2024. In addition, the progress rate for English Language Learners quadrupled in 2022-2023, making Brogden the highest performing middle school for EL growth that year. Smith’s contribution to this achievement was her successful implementation of the EL Prep Academy, a districtwide instructional initiative that yielded a 400% increase in student progress scores in one year.
Smith earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Sciences from Elizabeth City State University and her Masters of School Administration from North Carolina Central University.
“It is an honor to serve the Brogden community in a greater capacity. I am deeply committed to advancing our shared vision for student success and excellence. As I begin this new chapter, I remain inspired by the potential of our students, the dedication of our staff and the strength of our community.”