School district human resources director resigns
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 24, 2015 1:50 AM
The human resources director of Wayne County Public Schools for nearly a decade departed abruptly earlier this week, leaving the district tight-lipped and him claiming the reason was to seek "other educational pursuits."
Dr. Marvin "Steve" McCoy was named the district's assistant superintendent for human resources in 2006.
His responsibilities have included recruiting and retaining teachers. For a time, he was also tasked with overseeing the transportation department and its buses, during the district's state safety inspection woes when scores were among the worst in the state and then-transportation director Raymond Smith was terminated.
He became an educator after retiring from a career in the U.S. Army. He had been JROTC instructor in Duplin County Schools for three years before being hired by the district in 1999 as a math teacher at Brogden Middle School.
He went on to be assistant principal at Goldsboro High School for two years, then became principal at Dillard Middle, serving there for two years before he was moved to the central office.
Director of Communication Services Ken Derksen confirmed Thursday that McCoy "did resign May 19 to pursue other professional interests."
He would not specify details surrounding McCoy's departure.
"When it comes to resignations, we're limited to what we can discuss per personnel privacy laws," he said. "For now his duties will be distributed among central office staff."
The district leadership is currently in a state of flux, operating under an interim superintendent, Dr. Sandra McCullen, until June 30. The new superintendent, Dr. Michael Dunsmore, whose hiring was officially announced May 15, is slated to start July 1. Derksen could not say who will be handling reassignments or other personnel changes that typically come after the school year concludes.
"Dr. Dunsmore and I are working together on a transition plan," Mrs. McCullen said this morning. "That's about all I can say at this point in time.
"We are working together so that there will be a smooth transition. He will be here once a week and we will be working with him."
As for any comments on McCoy's departure, she spoke positively of the working relationship they had shared since he was hired by the district.
"I just want to wish him well as he pursues his new interests," she said.
McCoy was also upbeat about the situation, saying he was "writing a new chapter" in his career and life.
"I've got some physical things that I'm working on. I'm picking out superintendent jobs," he said.
Since completing his doctorate in educational leadership in 2012, he aspired to aim higher, he said.
"When I went back to school, my objective was to be qualified to move up with credentials to a top position," he said.
The part of the job that attracts him the most, he said, is the potential to "touch lives in a greater capacity, seeing where I can do the most good."
His avocation has also been in the ministry. He currently serves as co-pastor at Second Birth Christian Ministries in Dudley.
McCoy's parting words for the district were simple and succinct -- "always wishing students and staff and best and success in Wayne County."