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Schools get super start

Thursday, August 14, 2008

(Updated 9:07 am)

By Morgan Josey Glover
Staff Writer

Public school systems in Guilford County, Stokes County and the city of Thomasville have new leaders overseeing the start of the 2008-09 academic year.

In late July, the Guilford County Board of Education hired Maurice "Mo" Green to lead the district - the third largest in North Carolina - starting Sept. 8. He was previously the deputy superintendent of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System.

"I'm excited about the opportunity and look forward to getting up to Guilford County ... to get to work," Green said shortly after he was hired.

Former Superintendent Terry Grier, who served from 2000 to 2008, left in March to oversee the San Diego Unified School District.

Sharon Ozment , chief finance officer, and Eric Becoats , chief of staff, served as interim co-superintendents and were instrumental in drafting a budget that aimed to increase salaries for school employees and address long-standing discipline issues in district schools.

Ozment and Becoats said their goal as temporary leaders was to keep the district running smoothly until the permanent position is filled.

Green will now be responsible for overseeing a $457 million school construction bond that was approved by voters in May and addressing the challenges of an increasingly diverse student body.

The Guilford County school board, along with the boards in Stokes County and Thomasville, want a superintendent who is visible in the school systems.

Stewart Hobbs , who took over Stokes County Schools in January, said he was attracted to the district because he knew the board wanted someone who would sit in on classes and attend athletic games and awards banquets.

Hobbs, who previously led Sampson County Schools, said in the fall he plans to create a high school advisory committee that he will meet with once a month to help build leadership skills among students.

Hobbs said he hopes to build support among county officials this year for funding for the construction of a new school and renovation of two others.

The Thomasville Board of Education chose a homegrown career educator to replace longtime Superintendent Daniel Cockman , who retired this year.

Keith Tobin , who started teaching history at Thomasville High School in 1984, took over the leadership position in July. He previously served as assistant superintendent.

Tobin said he was the first teacher Cockman hired when he served as principal of Thomasville High School. Cockman has been a mentor to Tobin since that time.

"I don't know that I am a lot different from Dr. Cockman," Tobin said.

Tobin said he hopes to improve student performance and retain quality educators in the district. He also aims to visit at least one of the district's four schools every day as superintendent.

"I'm not one to stay in the office,"

Tobin said.

Contact Morgan Josey at 373-7078 or mjosey@news-record.com

school districts

ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON
2007-08 enrollment: 22,520
Average SAT score: 1432
Superintendent: Randy Bridges
Info: 570-6060, www.abss.k12.nc.us

ASHEBORO
2007-08 enrollment: 4,449
Average SAT score: 1415
Superintendent: Diane Frost
Info: 625-5104, www.asheboro.k12.nc.us

CASWELL COUNTY
2007-08 enrollment: 3,181
Average SAT score: 1354
Superintendent: Douglas Barker
Info: 694-4116, www.caswell.k12.nc.us

DAVIDSON COUNTY
2007-08 enrollment: 20,691
Average SAT score: 1464
Superintendent: Fred Mock
Info: 249-8182, www.davidson.k12.nc.us

GUILFORD COUNTY
2007-08 enrollment: 71,228
Average SAT score: 1464
Interim superintendents: Eric Becoats, Sharon Ozment
Info: 370-8100, www.gcsnc.com

LEXINGTON
2007-08 enrollment: 3,081
Average SAT score: 1265
Superintendent: Rebecca Bloxam
Info: 242-1527, www.lexcs.org

RANDOLPH COUNTY
2007-08 enrollment: 19,010
Average SAT score: 1445
Superintendent: Donald Andrews
318-6100, www.randolph.k12.nc.us

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
2007-08 enrollment: 14,305
Average SAT score: 1441
Superintendent: Rodney Shotwell
627-2600, www.rock.k12.nc.us

STOKES COUNTY
2007-08 enrollment: 7,275
Average SAT score: 1444
Superintendent: Stewart Hobbs
Info: 593-8146, www.stokes.k12.nc.us

THOMASVILLE
2007-08 enrollment: 2,602
Average SAT score: 1304
Superintendent: Keith Tobin
Info: 474-4200, www.tcs.k12.nc.us

WINSTON-SALEM/FORSYTH
2007-08 enrollment: 51,224
Average SAT score: 1501
Superintendent: Don Martin
Info: 727-2816, www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Charter Schools
Greensboro Academy (K-8), 4049 Battleground Ave., Greensboro.
286-8404
Guilford Preparatory Academy (K-8), 2207-A E. Cone Blvd., Greensboro. 954-1344
Phoenix Academy (K-5), 4020 Meeting Way, High Point. 869-0079
Triad Math and Science Academy (K-6), 900 16th St., Greensboro.

Private Schools

American Hebrew Academy, 4334 Hobbs Road, Greensboro. 217-7000
Baldwin Chapel SDA School, 1202 Leonard Ave., High Point. 889-7930
B'Nai Shalom Day School, 804-A Winview Drive, Greensboro. 855-5091
Caldwell Academy, 2900 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro. 665-1161
Canterbury School, 5400 Old Lake Jeanette Road, Greensboro. 288-2007
Covenant Christian Day School, 1414 Cliffwood Drive, Greensboro. 370-1222
Greensboro Day School, 5401 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro. 288-8590
Greensboro Montessori School, 2856 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro. 668-0119
Guilford Day School, 3310 Horse Pen Creek Road, Greensboro. 282-7044
Hayworth Christian School, 1696 Westchester Drive, High Point. 882-3126
High Point Christian Academy, 307 N. Rotary Drive, High Point. 841-8702
High Point Friends School, 800-A Quaker Lane, High Point. 886-5516
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, 605 Barbee Ave., High Point. 887-2613
Napoleon B. Smith Seventh Day Adventist Academy and preschool, 1802 E. Market St., Greensboro. 273-0054
New Garden Friends School, 1128 New Garden Road, Greensboro.
299-0964
Oak Ridge Military Academy, 2317 Oak Ridge Road, Oak Ridge. 643-4131
Our Lady of Grace Catholic School, 2205 W. Market St., Greensboro. 274-6520
The Piedmont School, 815 Old Mill Road, High Point. 883-0992
St. Pius X Catholic School, 2200 N. Elm St., Greensboro. 273-9865
Shining Light Academy, 4530 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro. 299-9688
Tri-City Junior Academy, 8000 Clinard Farms Road, High Point. 665-9822
Triad Christian Academy, 5104 Dunstan Road, Greensboro. 621-3660
Vandalia Christian School, 3919 Pleasant Garden Road, Greensboro. 379-8380
Wesleyan Christian Academy, 1917 N. Centennial St., High Point. 884-3333
Westchester Country Day School, 2045 N. Old Greensboro Road, High Point. 869-2128
Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School, 1725 N.C. 66 S., Kernersville. 564-1010
St. Leo the Great Catholic School, 333 Springdale Ave., Winston-Salem. 748-8252
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem. 722-7204

Home-schooling sources
North Carolinians for Home Education: (919) 790-1100; http://nche.com
Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina: www.ha-nc.org
N.C. Division of Non-Public Education: (919) 733-4276; www.ncdnpe.org