The Durham Public Schools Board of Education has approved Central Services leadership and school administrator appointments for the 2026–2027 school year.
Dr. Rodney Lofton has been named Interim Chief Human Resources Officer.
Dr. Lofton is a district-level executive with more than 35 years of leadership experience in public education. Throughout his career, he has specialized in human capital strategy, labor relations, organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and strategic planning, helping school systems build high-performing organizations that improve outcomes for students and staff.
"It is an honor to return to Durham Public Schools, where I was first entrusted with district-level leadership as Executive Director of Human Resources," Dr. Lofton said. "Coming back to a district that helped shape my leadership journey is especially meaningful as we continue aligning our work with purpose, strengthening strategic planning, and building the systems and standard operating practices that support excellence across the organization."
Dr. Lofton previously served as Superintendent of Trenton Public Schools in New Jersey; Deputy Superintendent in Mount Vernon, NY; Assistant Superintendent in Greenburgh, NY; and Executive Director of Human Resources in DPS. Since retiring from his superintendency, he has coached district leadership teams throughout the country as a senior consultant with the International Center for Leadership in Education, supporting strategic planning, organizational transformation, executive coaching, curriculum design, and leadership development.
Dr. Lofton believes that every child deserves access to an outstanding education and that achieving this goal begins with exceptional leadership, strong organizational systems, and a relentless commitment to continuous improvement. He views leadership as a responsibility to develop people, strengthen organizations, and create learning environments where every student, educator, and family has the opportunity to succeed.
Dr. Lofton earned his Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership & Adult Learning and his Master of Education degree in Special Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Research from Baruch College at City University of New York.
Emmet Alexander has been appointed Director for High School Curriculum and Instruction, effective August 1.
Alexander has served as principal of Northern High School since January 2024. Before his tenure at Northern, he was principal at Hillandale Elementary. He was also an educator and administrator in the Alamance-Burlington School System, serving as principal of Alamance Virtual School and of Cummings High School. He has also served as an assistant principal, exceptional children's teacher, and an assistant superintendent for administration.
Alexander earned his Master of School Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He graduated cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, and an Exceptional Children’s Teaching Licensure.
Alexander said he looks forward to the opportunity to make further contributions to public education with a focus on its crucial needs and the concept of continuous progress.
“Leadership isn’t measured by the position you hold, but by the lives you influence," he said. "I am grateful and blessed for the opportunity to continue serving the students of DPS, expanding my impact on teaching and learning across our district.”
Matthew Hunt will succeed Emmet Alexander as principal of Northern High School, effective August 1.
Before beginning his teaching career, Hunt enjoyed the opportunity to play basketball professionally in Europe and work in finance in Boston, MA.
Hunt led Glenn Elementary School for five years before accepting the role at Northern, where he served previously. He began his DPS teaching career at Northern in 2005, and for the next 11 years, he served as a mathematics teacher, basketball coach, assistant principal, and principal.
While at Northern, he was named DPS Teacher of the Year, DPS Principal of the Year, and N.C. Regional Principal of the Year.
While serving as principal at Northern, Merrick-Moore, and Glenn, his teams and students have achieved 12 consecutive years of proficiency gains and positive growth indices. In addition, all three schools achieved teacher working condition survey results above state and district averages annually, teacher retention increases, and student suspension declines.
Most recently at Glenn, his team and students doubled the EOG proficiency rate over five years, tripled ACCESS rates, decreased the chronically absent student rate from 52% to 14%, and achieved a 100% “good place to work and learn” rate on the most recent teacher working conditions survey.
Hunt earned degrees from Williams College, Harvard University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
“I’d like to thank every Glenn student, teacher, and family member for a magical five years. Your kindness, hard work, and belief in each other inspired me to try to get better every day," Hunt said. "While I’ll miss the Glenn students and teammates tremendously, I’m so excited to reunite with the Northern High School community. My relationships and time at Northern informed so much of what I believe is possible for realizing student outcomes and dreams – as well as the power of a team. I can’t wait to start the work where I began as a teacher more than two decades ago.”
The Board also approved the following appointments as interim principals:
Andrea Carroll - Oak Grove Elementary
Holly Emmanuel - Glenn Elementary
Elizabeth Shearer - Sandy Ridge Elementary
Myron Wilson - C.C. Spaulding Elementary