Page 16 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper June & July 2025 Edition

Page 4b The Fayettville Press June/July 2025 Editon

A New Chapter Begins: Cumberland County Board of Education

Announces New Superintendent Cumberland County Schools

During a special meeting on Tuesday, May 27, the
Cumberland County Board of Education unanimously ap-
pointed Dr. Eric C. Bracy as the next superintendent of
Cumberland County Schools (CCS).
A veteran North Carolina superintendent with more
than 25 years of experience in public education, Dr. Bracy
currently serves as superintendent of Johnston County
Schools, where he has led a period of strong academic
growth and restored financial stability since 2020. Known
as a hands-on instructional leader with a laser focus on
student outcomes, Dr. Bracy brings to Cumberland County
Schools a track record of success—improving school per-
formance, advancing instructional quality and turning
around underperforming districts.
Dr. Bracy’s passion for education runs deep. The son
of educators, he was raised in Weldon and Roanoke Rap-
ids, North Carolina, and began his career in 1997 as a fourth-
grade teacher in Northampton County Schools. He went
on to serve as an assistant principal and principal in Vance
County Schools and later held leadership roles in Durham
Public Schools as a principal and as executive director of
student support services. In 2008, Dr. Bracy returned to
Northampton County Schools to serve as superintendent,
where he oversaw significant increases in end-of-year state
assessment results at all grade levels.
From 2014 to 2020, Dr. Bracy served as superinten- will help take CCS to the next level.”
dent of Sampson County Schools, where he led the district Throughout his 17 years as a North Carolina superintendent, Dr. Bracy has remained committed to two core priorities: raising the bar for student
from the 66th to the 15th highest performing school sys- achievement and ensuring instructional excellence in every classroom. He also brings a strong understanding of the unique needs of military-connected
tem in North Carolina. Sampson County also earned na- families, having worked with many families stationed near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. In addition to his instructional leadership, Dr. Bracy has
tional recognition from the College Board for closing the demonstrated sound fiscal management, eliminating a $10 million shortfall in Johnston County Schools and earning the trust and respect of the county’s
achievement gap in Advanced Placement courses—one of Board of Commissioners through responsible budgeting.
only five districts in the state to achieve that honor. Dr. Bracy also worked closely with the Johnston County Board of Education to develop the district’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive
blueprint focused on academic excellence, staff development, workplace morale and community collaboration. Additionally, he partnered with the Johnston
Most recently, in Johnston County Schools, Dr. County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners to lead two successful bond referendums—$177 million in 2022 and $120 million in 2024—to
Bracy’s leadership has been transformative. The district support school facility needs and long-term growth.
rose from 83rd to 35th in North Carolina in grade-level pro- His leadership and impact have been recognized at the local, state and regional levels. Dr. Bracy was named Durham Public Schools Principal of the
ficiency and is one of only six districts in the state to show Year in 2007, North Carolina Association of Educators Superintendent of the Year in 2017 and Central Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year in 2024.
improvement compared to pre-pandemic performance. In “I am deeply honored to serve as the next superintendent of Cumberland County Schools,” Dr. Bracy said. “This district has made tremendous
the most recent school year, 89% of Johnston’s 48 schools progress, and I am excited to work alongside the Board, staff, families and community partners to build on that momentum. My family and I are thrilled to
earned school performance grades of A, B or C. The num- begin this next chapter and look forward to becoming an engaged and visible part of the CCS community. I’m ready to get to work and help move the district
ber of low-performing schools decreased from 14 to just to even greater heights.”
one. Student achievement improved across the district, with Dr. Bracy holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Carolina Central University, a Master of Education degree from Virginia State
33 schools exceeding academic growth expectations and University and a Doctor of Education degree from Nova Southeastern University.
30 ranking in the top 20% statewide for academic growth. He will begin his four-year term on July 1, 2025, or shortly thereafter, depending on his release from Johnston County Schools. Dr. Bracy is married
“From the outset of our search process, Dr. Bracy to Janelle, a teacher, and together they have three daughters. He and his family are excited as he continues his leadership journey with Cumberland County
stood out from a deep and talented pool of candidates as Schools.
the right leader at the right time for Cumberland County The Board’s decision follows a comprehensive and inclusive national search process. Following Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly Jr.’s retirement
Schools,” said Board Chairwoman Deanna Jones. “His announcement in December 2024, the Board committed to a thoughtful leadership transition. In January 2025, members selected McPherson and Jacobson,
unwavering commitment to student achievement, consis- LLC, a nationally respected executive search firm, to guide the process.
tent track record of results across multiple districts and Working on behalf of the Board, the firm led a robust stakeholder engagement effort, including in-person listening sessions, meetings with internal
ability to build meaningful relationships reflect the type of and external groups and a districtwide survey to identify the qualities most desired in the next superintendent.
strong, student-centered leadership our community val- The result was a highly competitive pool of applicants and, ultimately, the selection of Dr. Bracy—a reflection of the community’s voice and desire
ues. We are proud to welcome him and confident that he for a dynamic instructional leader with a proven history of improving outcomes, building trust and leading with purpose.