Important Announcement from Stanly County School District Board of Education
Chairman Melvin Poole:
"It is with much regret that I have to announce that Dr. Jeff James will be leaving the Stanly County school system for employment with Iredell Statesville school system. He has been an asset to this county, constantly pushing the envelope on what we as a school system could accomplish. While I am sure he would give credit to all those in the system, the fact of the matter is many positive things happened on his watch. Increase program offerings increased growth in school scores, and expansion of grants to the system just to name a few. He has been fully engaged in our community in a very positive way. He has been the most knowledgeable on public education issues of any superintendent I have been associated with in my 22 years of service on the local board. I understand when the opportunity comes knocking, one must take advantage of the opportunity, and therefore, on behalf of the Board and community I wish him the best and God's speed in his new endeavors."
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April 17, 2020
Dr. Jeff James
Superintendent
Stanly County Schools
1000-4 First Street
Albemarle, NC 28001
Dear Chairman Poole and Board members;
I want to thank each of you for the relationships we have formed and, most of all, for the work we have accomplished over the past two years in Stanly. Two of the members that initially hired me have left, and another three will this year. To these, I will be ever grateful and to those going forward on the board. I genuinely consider Stanly my second home.
This year makes seven years I have been away from home. My intent and Tammy's was to move to a more permeant residence and finish our careers. Life happened, however, and her mom took a turn for the worse, and we struggle daily, making sure she has appropriate care.
Leaving is certainly bittersweet as we have much left to do. I have accepted the superintendent's position in Iredell-Statesville Schools starting July 1, 2020. Therefore, I tender my resignation on June 30, 2020.
I will work diligently till the end and will be a phone call away. My main goal is to make sure we end up the year with at least 200,000-300,000 in unrestricted funds and at least 500,000 to 600,000 in restricted. We will decide allotments and reductions for next year. There will be at least a 3-4% sales tax reduction across the state. So we need to prepare now.
I recommend we post the superintendent position next week. I will reach out to the aspiring superintendent's academy and let them know the position is open. I like you do not want to see the work we have done regress.
Again, this is not an easy decision; much prayer has gone into this move. I certainly need your prayers, and Tammy and I will continue to pray for Stanly.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jeff James