Yelverton named principal at Goldsboro High School
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 4, 2016 1:46 PM
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Robert Yelverton
Wayne County Public Schools has named a new principal for Goldsboro High School.
Robert Yelverton, Northeast Elementary School principal, will begin his new role on Monday.
He replaces Brian Weeks, who left the school in January to become principal at Rosewood Middle School.
No replacement has been named for Yelverton, the latest in a succession of administrative shifts made by the district in recent months.
The domino effect was created when veteran principal Gene Byrd announced his retirement, from Eastern Wayne High School, in November.
That vacancy was filled by Lee Johnson, principal at Wayne Early/Middle College High School since it opened in the fall of 2006. She moved to Eastern Wayne in December.
In early January, officials announced two more staffing moves. Freda Allen, Rosewood Middle School principal, was named administrator at Wayne Early/Middle, with Weeks taking over at Rosewood Middle.
Yelverton is a 22-year veteran educator whose role as principal started at Southern Academy in 2008. When the two alternative schools, Belfast and Southern academies, merged in 2009, he became principal at Wayne Middle Academy.
He has been principal at Northeast Elementary since 2011.
He was previously assistant principal at several schools, and taught at Mount Olive Middle and Goldsboro middle and high schools. Yelverton earned a bachelor's degree in design tech from Norfolk University, a teacher's certification in middle grades math and a master's degree in school administration from East Carolina University.
"Goldsboro High School has a rich tradition and history and I am honored to be chosen to be the principal," Yelverton said. "My plan is to meet with staff, students and parents during the first two weeks. I will also be assessing the current practices and create a plan to move this school forward. I am looking forward to the challenge and opportunity to lead our students and staff."
The recent staffing changes are utilizing the district's revamp of how principals and assistants are hired. At a September meeting of the school board, the superintendent, Dr. Michael Dunsmore, who himself took over the role July 1, announced the new way of selecting administrators.
Yvette Smith, assistant superintendent for human resources, one of Dunsmore's first hires, in early August, told the board that the process will now incorporate parents and staff members in the decision-making as opposed to the superintendent being the sole vote.
The ultimate goal is to choose the best qualified person who will create a positive learning environment in the school, she said.
Yelverton expressed his gratitude to Dunsmore and Ms. Smith for their "vision and faith in me to get the job done."
"My hope is to rally the community and alumni of Goldsboro to band together to help provide our students with the best possible educational opportunities and resources available," he said.