WCS changes backpack rules; fills leadership positions [Henderson Daily Dispatch]
15AUG2023, Henderson Daily Dispatch, Warren County Schools
WCS changes backpack rules; fills leadership positions
BY DISPATCH STAFF Aug 14, 2023
WARRENTON — As a district, Warren County Schools is requiring all students at all of its schools to use a clear backpack as an additional safety measure.
WCS is giving all students a free, clear Warren County Schools backpack. For those who choose not to use the backpack provided, they may purchase a clear backpack of their own. For privacy, they may carry a small bag the size of a sheet of paper folded in half inside of their clear backpack. Students with a school-issued Chromebook bag may also bring that to school.
All bags may be searched at any time, following school board policy.
WCS apologizes for any inconvenience this change may have caused and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of students and parents.
New leaders
The Warren County Board of Education recently approved several leadership hires:
Chief Academic Officer: Kisha Clemons, approved on Aug. 8
Chief Operations Officer: Dr. Dennis Carrington, approved on Aug. 8
Director of School Performance: LaTonya McNeill, approved on July 25
Warren County High School Principal: Dr. Cynthia Simons, approved on Aug. 8
“These highly qualified educational leaders will help continue our critical mission of improving Warren County Schools, how we educate and support our students, how we empower our staff, and how we connect with our community,” said Superintendent Keith Sutton. “These are not only key instructional leaders, but are also transformational leaders as we reimagine our schools and how we educate students in the twenty-first century.”
Kisha Clemons was the 2020 Wells Fargo NC Principal of the Year. During her 20-year career in education, she has served as principal, assistant principal and teacher. She has worked in Beaufort County Schools, Catawba County Schools, Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Newton-Conover City Schools. Clemons is expected to start within the next 30-60 days.
Carrington has been the principal of Warren County Middle School for the past 3 years and served as the assistant principal for two years before that. Dr. Carrington began his nearly 20 year career in education as a Business Teacher at WCMS in 2004. Since then, he’s worked in school administration for the Wake County Public School System, Halifax County Schools, and Vance County Schools.
Carrington will remain in his role as WCMS principal until another principal is in place.
McNeill has worked in education for 28 years, having served as a teacher, school administrator, instructional coach, curriculum coordinator and district instructional leader. She has worked for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, South Carolina Department of Education, Richland School District One in SC, Hoke County Schools and Cumberland County Schools. McNeill started her new role on August 1.
Cynthia Simons has worked in education for 24 years. She has been the assistant principal at Wake Forest High School since 2008. During that time, she also earned a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Fayetteville State University and a Master of School Administration from North Carolina Central University.
Simons is continuing the work started by WCHS Interim Principal Elaine Hanzer. As a retired school administrator, Hanzer has worked the maximum amount allowed by the state while receiving retirement benefits. Her last day will be August 31. We appreciate Hanzer’s leadership and vision for WCHS and look forward to continuing seeing her around campus as a lifetime member of our Eagle family.
Simons is expected to start later this month, but an exact date has not yet been determined.