Superintendent hired
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 15, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Dr. Michael Dunsmore speaks to the Wayne County Board of Education after he was announced as the new superintendent for Wayne County Public Schools this morning.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Newly appointed superintendent of Wayne County Public Schools Dr. Michael Dunsmore, left, is congratulated by Dr. Sandra McCullen during a school board meeting this morning. Also pictured is Patricia Burden.
The Wayne County Board of Education named a new superintendent for Wayne County Public Schools this morning.
At a called meeting at the central office, the school board unanimously voted to sign Dr. Michael Dunsmore to a three-year contract beginning July 1.
He is currently superintendent of Tyrrell County Schools. A graduate of Mansfield State College in Pennsylvania with a degree in criminal justice, he started his career as a juvenile probation officer before transitioning into education. He holds a master's degree in counseling and worked as an emotional support/life skills teacher at an intermediate school in Pennsylvania.
He also holds a master's degree in special education and a doctorate in educational leadership. He moved to North Carolina in 2008, when he was named superintendent of the school district in Tyrrell County.
In addition to his education and administrative experience, he has been a wrestling coach, volunteer diver/educator at the N.C. Aquarium and in 2013 was named the N.C. Northeast Region Superintendent of the Year.
The extensive search for the district leader began on the heels of the announcement that former superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor was retiring Dec. 1, 2014, after being in the role since 2000.
Since late November, Dr. Sandra McCullen, then associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, was named interim superintendent, for a six-month stint that runs through June 30.
The board advertised for a successor, drawing 30 responses by the Feb. 28 deadline. Candidates were mostly from in-state, West said.
After narrowing down the pool to 15, then eight, the board conducted two full days of interviews with the eight candidates. They then narrowed it down to three and then two before making the announcement today.
The school board welcomed the new hire at an abbreviated meeting this morning, following by Dunsmore signing his contract.
Board member Eddie Radford, a former wrestler and coach, said he appreciated that facet on Dunsmore's resume. He said there could be a correlation between being a wrestler and coach and being superintendent. Both had to make sacrifices, be aggressive and prepared at all times and in the coaching realm, he has to motivate, recruit and be organized.
Board member Pat Burden said she was not a wrestler but felt that Dunsmore possessed the qualities that would benefit the district.
Board member Rick Pridgen said he was impressed with Dunsmore's resume and one thing that stood out was his hobby of going on weekends to clean out the shark tank at the aquarium. He pointed out that that Neuse River is conveniently nearby, drawing laughter from the audience, which included principals, administrators and central office leadership.
"I'm looking forward to working with you. You're just an impressive individual," he said.
The board's two newest members, Dr. Dwight Cannon, via FaceTime, and Jennifer Strickland echoed the sentiment that they were pleased to have been part of the process hiring a new superintendent.
"I feel very honored to be part of this process, but you understand there's a lot of pressure. Don't mess up!" she said with a smile.
Board member Arnold Flowers said that Radford may have been a wrestler and Ms. Burden admitted she had not, but told Dunsmore, "we have all wrestled with 30 applications and you did rise to the top."
Board Chairman Chris West said he did not believe they could have selected a better leader.
"You show a lot of passion for the school system and you've done your homework," he said. "You have made yourself familiar with the school system."
Dunsmore reciprocated by praising the board, saying it was apparent that they are dedicated to the district and its success.
That was one factor that attracted him to the area, he said, before joking that his current home is more than an hour away from the nearest Walmart, so relocating to Wayne County, where there are Walmarts and a Sam's Club might win points from his wife of 33 years, Diane.
He comes from a family of educators, with both parents now retired and his father-in-law was his high school math teacher. His dad was also his wrestling coach, he said.
"I can look back when I was going through, what he put me through, I may not have agreed with but it made me the man I am today," he said.
The experience as a juvenile probation officer and later in special education also taught him much about empathy and helping students succeed.
He said he believes in public education and his vision for Wayne County Schools is to be a leader across the state and nationally.
"To help students be successful I believe we need to believe them, support t hem and hold them to the highest standard possible so that they can meet their potential," he said. "I can't wait until July 1."