Wake County high school mourns loss of its first and only principal
North Wake College and Career Academy closed Tuesday after the death of Elizabeth Battle, the school’s first and only principal.
The Wake Forest school posted on its website early Tuesday that it was closed for the day “due to an emergency in the building.” In a message sent later to families, Assistant Principal Chanin Lacy-Garner said Battle had died Monday. No cause of death was given.
“Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends,” Lacy-Garner said in the message. “Please keep them and all of those that have been impacted by this loss in your hearts. We want to honor the family and be respectful of their need for privacy at this time.”
Lacy-Garner suggested some resources parents can use to help their children, such as Transitions GriefCare and Alliance Health, if they need help dealing with the loss. Alliance Health can be reached at 1-877-233-4617.
School’s principal for 7 years
North Wake is an early college high school that’s a partnership of the Wake County school system and Wake Technical Community College. Students focus on one of five career areas: Culinary, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Medical Technician, Information Technology and Hospitality,
Students can graduate with a high school diploma and college credits.
Battle has been the school’s principal since it opened in 2017. Previously, she was an assistant principal at Sanderson and Southeast Raleigh high schools and a marketing teacher.
“We will work together as a unified school community and we will support one another as we process this loss and navigate this challenging time together,” Lacy-Garner told families.
