Digital Scholarship and Initiatives

In a bizarre chain of events, Superintendent Tommy Lowry was fired without explanation after a covert meeting by six school board members. There was no explanation given for this dramatic action.

Until February, Assistant Superintendent Shanita Wooten will take over Lowry’s duties. The new superintendent is a man from Virginia named Thomas Graves.

“Peggy Wilkins-Chavis, who made the motion to buy out the superintendent’s contract and hire Graves, couldn’t tell board members where in Virginia Graves lives or what his qualifications are. All she could say is that he is certified in three states, is “getting certification in North Carolina” and has served as a superintendent. She was reluctant to tell board members how they can contact Graves.”

Wilkins-Chavis, Dwayne Smith, Brian Freeman, Randy Lawson, Steve Martin and Charles Bullard met about Graves separately from the rest of the school board members. No more information has been provided to the Lowry supporters.

Lowry had served since June of 2015 and was under contract until June of 2018. Since he had a contract of $180,000 per year, the buyout will cost the school board more than $180,000.