Dunsmore sworn in
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 1, 2015 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Dr. Michael Dunsmore is sworn in as the superintendent of Wayne County Schools by clerk of court Pam Minshew, left, as his wife, Diane, right, holds the Bible this morning at Wayne County Public Schools Central Office.
Wayne County Public Schools has a new superintendent.
Dr. Michael Dunsmore, formerly superintendent of the Tyrrell County School system, was officially sworn in to the role this morning.
At a special called meeting of the Board of Education the only vacant seat was that of the superintendent, with the name plate turned downward.
After the oath was administered by Wayne County Clerk of Court Pam Minshew, wife Diane by his side, Dunsmore signed the official paperwork and shook hands with the board attorney and board members.
With that, the name plate bearing his name was flipped over and he took his place at the table.
Dunsmore's hiring was announced May 15, after a nearly six-month search.
The leadership role had been vacated by former superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor's retirement Dec. 1, and subsequently by interim superintendent Dr. Sandra McCullen, who retired Tuesday.
The 10-minute ceremony concluded after board members welcomed their new leader.
"We're glad to have you aboard and I think there's a lot of work to be done," said board member Eddie Radford. "I think you're the person to do it."
Board member Pat Burden welcomed Dunsmore to Wayne County and the "Wayne County family."
"I just appreciate the fact that you're willing to take on this awesome responsibility and with that powerful position, I hope that you will work on the traffic coming into central office," joked board member Dr. Dwight Cannon, who was the last board member to arrive.
Board member Rick Pridgen also welcomed Dunsmore's wife, with a shout-out to an earlier reference that the couple had been living over an hour away from a Walmart.
"You don't have to travel so far to Walmart now," he said.
"I was there this morning," Mrs. Dunsmore replied.
Pridgen said he looked forward to serving with the new superintendent and the vision he brings to the job.
"I'm so excited to have you here," said board member Jennifer Strickland. "I'm looking forward to the next four years at least.
"I'm glad that we can all be part of this transition."
Vice chairman Arnold Flowers called Dunsmore a "lucky man" because Wayne County is such a great place.
Chairman Chris West admitted it had been a difficult, and long, process to find the right candidate.
"We probably asked a lot of tough questions but you had the answers we were looking for," he said to Dunsmore.
The newly minted superintendent thanked the board and staff in the audience for the warm welcome and placing their confidence in him.
"I do appreciate the responsibility that this position holds," he said. "I value public education. I value our employees."
In the weeks since his hiring was made public, Dunsmore said he had received positive feedback across the state about the district he will soon lead. He said he expects the accomplishments to continue.
"I'm just so happy and blessed that Diane and I can be here and be part of that over the coming years because I really see the school system making a name for itself," he said. "I'm looking forward to the great things we can do for the children."