Johnson new principal at Eastern Wayne High
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 23, 2015 1:46 PM
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Lee Johnson
Lee Johnson, principal at Wayne Early/Middle College High School, will take over the role at Eastern Wayne High School on Dec. 1.
Mrs. Johnson is replacing Gene Byrd, who earlier had announced he is retiring at the end of this month.
She has 30 years of experience with Wayne County Public Schools, including being a teacher, career development coordinator, special populations coordinator, apprenticeship coordinator and a lead teacher for career-technical education and high school reform.
She helped launch Wayne Early/Middle College High School on the Wayne Community College campus in 2006, where she has since served as principal. She has both a bachelor's degree in business education and a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University.
"It's been an honor and privilege to be a part of the birth and success of Wayne Early/Middle College High School," she said. "I graduated from Eastern Wayne High School and later worked there as a career development coordinator. Coming back as principal is like coming home."
The process for finding a replacement for Byrd was part of the district's new principal hiring and selection system. The human resources department sought input from school stakeholders, including students, staff and parents on the type of leader they thought would best serve the school. Their feedback was used in determining the interview questions, which were later used by an administrative selection panel.
"Mrs. Johnson is an expert in high school reform and will bring valuable experience and passion to her role as principal for this school," said Dr. Michael Dunsmore, superintendent. "I look forward to working with her and the staff at that school to take Eastern Wayne High to new heights."
A meet and greet to introduce Mrs. Johnson to the Eastern Wayne community will be held in the school cafeteria on Monday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. Parents and stakeholders are invited.
No replacement has been named for the vacancy left by Mrs. Johnson at WEMCH.
As part of the district's new principal hiring process, stakeholder meetings will be scheduled soon, with cross sections of parents, students and staff to meet with the human resources department.