Johnston County hires a new school superintendent. Will it bring stability?
The Johnston County school board unanimously hired Eric Bracy on Wednesday to be its new superintendent.
The selection of Bracy could bring stability to a school system that has faced turmoil over the past school year, including unexpected leadership changes and questions about its financial stability.
Bracy has been superintendent of Sampson County Schools since 2014. He was chosen from a field of 31 candidates.
”Dr. Bracy’s extensive experience as a superintendent and his extensive track record of improving student achievement as well as his accomplishments in improving the financial well-being of his current school district made his selection a clear, strong choice,” Johnston County school board chairman Todd Sutton said after the vote.
The new school chief will take over on July 1 a school district with more than 36,500 students, 5,000 school employees and 45 schools. Johnston is the 7th-largest school district in North Carolina.
“I think some people have truly forgotten how wonderful and great the Johnston County Public School System is,” Bracy said Wednesday. “Some people may have forgotten that, and now it’s up to us to go to work to remind them.”
Bracy is under contract through June 2024 and will start with an annual salary of $195,000.
Past year marked by turmoil
He replaces Ross Renfrow, who resigned in August after having served as Johnston County superintendent for more than three years. His departure came amid his investigation into whether diplomas were improperly awarded at Clayton High School.
Jim Causby came out of retirement to serve as interim superintendent. He reinstated Bennett Jones as principal of Clayton High on a probationary basis after he had been removed by Renfrow.
But Causby resigned in January, citing “interference” from the school board. Area assistant superintendent Ben Williams has been serving as interim superintendent.
In addition to the diploma controversy, school board member Ronald Johnson has accused school leaders of lying about the need for $8.8 million from the county to cover a budget shortfall.
Johnson also accused leaders of covering up an investigation into sexual harassment of district employees.
Other school board members have denied the allegations.
Leadership skills praised
School leaders talked Wednesday about how Bracy would unify the district. They pointed to how both academic performance and financial stability had improved in Sampson County under his tenure.
“While there is no perfect superintendent, I believe we have the perfect man for Johnston County Public Schools,” said school board member Teresa Grant.
Johnson said Bracy was hands-down the best choice from the applicants.
“I know that there is a lot of celebrating going on because we have new leadership and this looks like the light at the end of the tunnel,” Johnson said. “But unfortunately, the work is just beginning so I would encourage you to continue to support Dr. Bracy all in and have his back as we move through these tough times.”
Bracy started his career as a fourth-grade teacher in Northampton County. He would go on to become a principal in both Vance and Durham counties and executive director of student support services for Durham Public Schools.
He was superintendent in Northampton County for more than five years before leading Sampson County.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 6:07 PM.
