Education: Leadership roles shift for the county's three school systems

With the Winter 2024 semester approaching, there are exciting new changes within the school district administrations of Davidson County. Davidson County Schools selected a new superintendent last week. Press Release: Davidson County Board of Education hires new superintendent — DavidsonLocal.com Dr. Gregg Slate was selected as the next superintendent of Davidson County Schools (DCS). Dr. Slate will officially commence on March 1, 2024. The vote was not unanimous. School board representatives have declined to respond to personnel related decisions.

On Dec 5, Alan Beck was elected chairperson of the county Board of Education and Kristie Bonnett as vice-chairperson. Ja’Quez Taylor was elected as chairperson of Thomasville city schools and Wendy Cellars as his vice chair. Brent Wall has been elected as chairperson of Lexington city schools and Louie Phillips as vice-chairperson. 

The election for the seat of vice chair for Lexington was held as a ballot count, with a need for multiple votes. The first vote was a 3-3 tie between Kathy Hinkle and Lisa Hathaway. Following the tie, Hinkle yielded her nominations to Hathaway, then Hathaway declined the nomination. A second vote resulted in another tie between Louie Phillips and Angie McDuffy. In a final vote, Louie Phillips was elected as vice-chairperson to the board.

Newly elected chairpeople have expressed innovative ideas and goals for improving and maintaining their respective school systems. 

In Thomasville, Ja’Quez Taylor promises that “Throughout [his] two-year tenure as board chairman, [he] will assess and measure [his] leadership accomplishments and success by the improvement in student academic outcomes, teacher retention and morale, recruitment of forward-thinking leaders, policy reviews and updates, and increased community and parent involvement.”