According to reports, Dr. Eric Bracy, superintendent of Sampson County Schools, was considered to become the next leader of Robeson County’s district. He did not receive enough votes from Robeson board members.
A divided Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County met in July to find its next superintendent, after firing Tommy Lowry on Jan. 10 in a 6-5 vote. Later during the selection process, it was reported in The Robesonian that a school board member, John Campbell, sent out information accusing six of the members of favoring a less qualified white candidate over Bracy.
“Six members of the PSRC Board of Education … are planning to hire a white male who’s never been a superintendent, or assistant superintendent, but is a program director in his current school district,” Campbell wrote on the page.
He also stated that five of the members were in favor of hiring Bracy to become the next superintendent.
“I know education is important to you and you want what is best for our school district, so please text, email, message, call, etc., to share this travesty in the making with as many Robesonians as possible before Monday’s board meeting,” he stated.
The Facebook post also acknowledged Bracy’s recent accomplishment of becoming the Superintendent of the Year for the Southeast Region Superintendents Council. He was selected by his peers in the region to represent the area for the A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year. It is the highest honor bestowed on a North Carolina superintendent. In 2017, Bracy was also recognized as Superintendent of the Year by the N.C. Association of Educators.
Bracy did not provide a comment or statement regarding the situation.
He became the Sampson County Schools superintendent in February 2014. Before SCS, he served Northampton County Schools, as a superintendent for more than five years. Bracy began his education career as a fourth-grade teacher and later became an assistant principal. Next, he became principal of elementary and middle schools. Bracy was also a central office administrator and principal for Durham Public Schools.
To become an educational professional, he earned a doctorate in education leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s in education administration and supervision from Virginia State University. Before these accomplishments, he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Carolina Central University.
Bracy’s contract with the district ran through June 30, 2017. In February 2016, it was extended one year until June 30, 2018. During a recent meeting, the board extended the contract until June 30, 2019.
“I am grateful to the board for its confidence in our ongoing efforts to empower all students to be successful in college and career,” Bracy stated after the contract extension.