Leaders throughout Sampson County Schools were recently honored for meeting quality standards set by the AdvancEd Accreditation Commission.

Dr. Linda Jewell Carr, assistant superintendent of Instructional Services, presented the achievement regarding the nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that provides accreditation to schools. Based on the Index of Educational Quality, which measures measures overall performance, Sampson Schools earned 363 out of 400 points.

“That doesn’t come by accident,” Carr said. “It comes by a lot of hard work and dedication.”

The district was also recognized for developing strategic and improvement plans, along with other evaluation measures. Committee members also acknowledged future plans such as looking at data, finding strengths within the school system and celebrating successes.

“Sometimes we don’t always do that,” Carr said. “So tonight we’re here to celebrate our school successes and our district’s accreditation. And it also suggested that we continue on an avenue of improving our journey and I do believe that Sampson County Schools does that.”

The schools honored by the Sampson County Board of Education included Hargrove Elementary School, Principal Edward Holmes; Hobbton Elementary School, Principal Dawn Wilkes; Hobbton Middle School, Principal Jeff Bradshaw; Hobbton High School, Principal Michael Warren; Roseboro Elementary School, Principal Tonya Colwell; Salemburg Elementary School, Principal Gerald M. Johnson; Roseboro-Salemburg Middle School, Principal Shajuana Sellers; Lakewood High School, Principal John Goode; and Clement Elementary School, Principal James Mullins.

Also included were Midway Elementary School, Principal Robbin Cooper; Plain View Elementary School, Principal Nicole Peterson; Midway Middle School, Principal Kevin Hunter; Midway High School, Principal Monty Strickland; Sampson Early College High School, Principal Susan Westerbeek; Union Elementary School, Principal Dondi Hobbs; Union Intermediate School, Principal O.C. Holland; Union Middle School, Principal Dr. Theresa Melenas; and Union High School, Principal Julie Hunter.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy was also recognized for his leadership for the accreditation, valid through 2023. With January being School Board Recognition Month, Bracy honored the members for their contributions to local education.

“They are extraordinary people who do a great job and who voluntarily tackle the huge task of providing governance to our school system,” Bracy said.

He said their many actions and decisions affect not only Sampson County Schools as it is currently, but what Sampson County Schools will look like in the future.

“At this time I would like to recognize our school board members for their commitment and sacrifice,” Bracy said. “They make a lot of sacrifices — time away from their families, meetings in the middle of the day and emails that I send them that I need them to respond to. We are one of the best school systems in North Carolina. We would not be the school system that we are without these board members that I share this plaque with tonight.”

Bracy added that the board is a great group of people to work with, while giving them acknowledgment.

“It takes a combined effort to be a wonderful school system,” Bracy said. “It takes a community, it takes the students, it takes the staff, the administrators and the teachers. But it also takes a great board of education and we’re fortunate to have one of the best in the state.”

Principals from Sampson County Schools, as well as Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy, receive recognition during a recent meeting.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Ed_1.jpgPrincipals from Sampson County Schools, as well as Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy, receive recognition during a recent meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Bracy holds up an award from the AdvancEd organization.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Ed_2.jpgSuperintendent Dr. Eric Bracy holds up an award from the AdvancEd organization.
School leaders lauded; accreditation celebrated

By Chase Jordan

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Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.