Press release from Buncombe County Schools:
The Buncombe County Board of Education approved the appointment of six key employees at the Thursday, June 6 board meeting. The appointments fill vacancies left by retirements.
The new Curriculum Specialist for Cultural Arts/Academically or Intellectually Gifted, replacing the retiring Dr. Susan Hensley, will be Robert Waller. Waller has been the Choral Director at Cane Creek Middle School since 2000. Prior to that position, he served as Choral Director at A. C. Reynolds Middle School. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Mars Hill College and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Waller was named the Cane Creek Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Payne will serve as the new Director of Child Nutrition, replacing former Director Lynette Vaughn-Hensley who retired at the end of April. Payne, a University of South Carolina graduate, holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration. She comes to Buncombe County Schools from the US Foods Atlanta Division where she served as School Bid Manager. Payne formerly served as the Director of Child Nutrition for Buncombe County Schools from 2004-2007.
Eric Grant will become the new Curriculum Specialist for English/Language Arts/Social Studies, replacing the retiring Deborah Goodwin. Grant has served as the World Studies Language Arts Teacher at Buncombe County Early College since 2006 and was an English Teacher at Enka High School from 1999-2006. He is currently enrolled in the North Carolina State University Reading Specialist in New Literacies and Global Learning Master of Arts program. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Michael’s College and a post Bachelor of Arts licensure in secondary English from the University of New Mexico. Grant had the distinct honor of representing Buncombe County Early College, Buncombe County Schools, and Western North Carolina as Teacher of the Year during the 2010-2011 school year.
The position of Beginning Teacher/Professional Development Support/Global Specialist will be held by Dr. Cheri Boone, replacing retiring Linda Allison. Boone received her Doctorate of Education from Western Carolina University. She has served as the Data Analyst Specialist for the Race to the Top program for Buncombe County Schools, while also being an Adjunct Instructor of Teacher Leadership and School Improvement in the Masters of Education Program at Mars Hill College. Boone has served as a Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Yancey County Schools in the past.
Ronda Sortino will serve as the new Director of Special Services, replacing retiring Jana Plemmons. Sortino holds an advanced degree in Education from East Carolina University and is anticipating graduation this year with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University. She has served as University Supervisor at East Carolina University, as well as Principal at both W.A. Pattillo School in Tarboro, NC and Grifton Elementary School in Grifton, NC.
Filling the position of Director of Title I/Federal Programs will be Dr. Anita Owenby. She replaces retiring Geneva Neeriemer. Owenby has been serving as the Director of Title I and Homeless Education for Henderson County Schools. She holds her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University. Her experience includes serving as Director of Elementary Education for Henderson County Schools, and as an Assistant Principal with Buncombe County Schools.
All appointments are effective July 1, 2013.
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