LUMBERTON — PSRC Board of Education members approved new principals for multiple schools in the 2023-2024 academic year.
The decision was made Thursday at the PSRC Board of Education meeting as board members approved new principal assignments individually as presented following a closed-door session.
Principals, who were approved for the positions, were among multiple individuals interviewed during the search process. They were determined to be the top candidates.
“We are grateful for the Board of Education’s vote of approval. These leaders are committed to providing our students with the education they deserve to become productive members of our society and positive leaders of tomorrow,” said PSRC Chief Communications Officer Jessica Sealey.
Deep Branch Elementary School
Aaron Lowery will serve as principal at Deep Branch Elementary School. He previously served as an assistant principal at Fairgrove Elementary School and as an educator at Fairgrove and Deep Branch elementary schools.
East Robeson Primary School
Chad Brewer will become the principal of East Robeson Primary School after serving as assistant principal at the school. He also previously served as an 8th-grade teacher at Magnolia Elementary School.
Fairmont High School
Dr. Anthony Barton was approved to take on the principal role at Fairmont High School left vacant by the retirement of Kent Prater after 23 years of service within the district effective July 1.
Barton previously served as principal at PSRC Early College High School at Robeson Community College. During his time with PSRC, he has also served as a Social Studies teacher at South Robeson High School, assistant principal at Purnell Swett High and principal at Pembroke Middle School.
Learning Acceleration Program/Robeson Alternative School
Former Purnell Swett High School Assistant Principal Matthew Locklear will step into the principal role at PSRC LAP/RAS. The role was previously filled by Jonathan Blue, who is retiring effective July 1 with 31 years of service within the district.
Locklear has served as an assistant principal at Lumberton Senior High and Pembroke Middle schools respectively. He also previously served as an 8th-grade Math teacher at Pembroke Middle School.
Long Branch Elementary School & Prospect Elementary School
In the 2023-2024 academic year, Dr. Leslie Harris will take the reins of Long Branch Elementary School as its new principal. Harris served most recently as assistant principal at Magnolia Elementary School.
During her time in the district, she also served as assistant principal at Purnell Swett High, South Robeson High, and St. Pauls Elementary schools respectively. She also previously worked as a Social Studies teacher at Purnell Swett High School.
Long Branch Elementary School’s former Principal David Oxendine will serve as Prospect Elementary School’s principal. Oxendine previously served as an assistant principal at Pembroke Middle School and Lumberton High School.
Orrum Middle School
Katasha Oxendine, who previously served as an assistant principal at Red Springs High School, will become the principal of Orrum Middle School. She will take on the role left vacant by the retirement of former school principal Anthony Britt, who served within PSRC for 22 years. His retirement is effective July 1.
Oxendine previously served as an assistant principal at Lumberton Senior High School and as an educator at Red Springs Middle and Red Springs High schools.
Peterson Elementary School
Tommy O’Briant “Brian” Freeman II was approved to serve as principal at Peterson Elementary School. Melinda Sellers formerly served in the role, but will retire effective July 1 after 30 years of service.
Freeman has about 28 years of experience in the field of education and has served as an assistant principal and instructional coach in Cumberland County Schools and principal in Columbus County Schools districts. He also previously served as an educator at Oxendine, Rex-Rennert, Rosenwald and Peterson elementary schools and as a PSRC Board of Education member.
PSRC Early College High School
Andrew Davis will step into the role of principal of PSRC ECHS. Davis recently served as director of Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability.
During his time in the district, he also has served as History supervisor, assistant principal at Red Springs Middle, East Robeson Primary and Lumberton Senior High schools respectively. He also served as a Social Studies teacher at Fairmont Middle and South Robeson High schools.
South Robeson Middle School
Principal John Avery Brooks will take his place as principal at South Robeson Middle School after serving as principal at Prospect Elementary School. The school’s principal position was left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Sherry Park, who served within PSRC for 28 years. Her retirement is effective on July 1.
Brooks has previously served as principal at Prospect Elementary, St. Pauls Middle and Fairmont Middle schools respectively. He also has served as an assistant principal at Purnell Swett High School and an educator at Purnell Swett High and Magnolia Elementary schools.
St. Pauls Elementary School
Lisa Washington will take the top leadership role at St. Pauls Elementary School formerly occupied by Amanda Graham, who will serve as Relay/Leverage Leadership Principal Coach Supervisor in the upcoming school year. Graham’s new position was also approved Thursday by the board.
Washington formerly served as assistant principal at the school. During her time in PSRC, she also has served as principal at Rosenwald and Southside-Ashpole elementary schools, assistant principal at St. Pauls High School, and as an educator at Tanglewood Elementary School.
“The Public Schools of Robeson County would like to recognize our retiring principals and thank them for their years of dedicated service,” Sealey said. “We certainly wish them all the best in their retirement and we look forward to a prosperous school year ahead!”