Superintendent
I would like to welcome everyone to a new school year here at Stanly County Schools. We look forward to seeing all of the new faces, and our returning students and staff for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Our focus will be on providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for all of our students and staff. We have just completed our new 2023-2028 Strategic Plan and a new mission and vision statement for Stanly County Schools moving forward. My team and the Board of Education met with internal staff and administration and held community meetings with external stakeholders to help craft our strategic plan and the mission and vision statements.
The vision statement for the district is a statement that embodies the meaning and purpose behind our school system. This ultimately describes what we want to do in the long run. The new vision statement for Stanly County Schools is, “Stanly County Schools: Empowering all students and staff to succeed!” Our vision is to create an environment where students and staff are successful, and are more confident in achieving success in their lives.
The mission statement for the district is a statement that outlines the district’s purpose, goals, and values. This statement explains what our purpose is in our communities. The new Stanly County Schools mission statement is, “Stanly County Schools will partner with our communities to provide opportunities in which relationships are nurtured and learning experiences are engaging.” Stanly County Schools aims to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment that is filled with engaging learning opportunities.
I look forward to a great year of learning and engagement in 2023-2024! Please continue to visit our website at www.stanlycountyschools.org for updates and information.
Superintendent
Stanly County Schools
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I am honored and humbled to have been chosen by the Board of Education to become your next Superintendent. I am also excited to be able to return to the county where I was born and raised and to lead this great school system into the future. If it were not for the education I had received early in my life through attending Stanly County Schools, I may not be where I am today. It was not just the educational component, but all of the teachers and staff who helped to create opportunities for me throughout my young life. When it comes to educating our children, I am first and foremost a proponent of our public schools. Our public schools are the reason that all children in our society have an opportunity for quality education, no matter where they may come from.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are in what many have called “unprecedented times.” As Superintendent, it is my job to help support our families, teachers, and staff as we all navigate the waters of learning throughout this pandemic. Currently, education is taking place virtually, in person, and through synchronous and asynchronous models. While all of these changes have taken place, I am amazed at how our teachers and staff have been so resilient in the face of these challenges. They are working hard to provide a quality education for all of our students, even in the face of the limitations the pandemic had put upon them as educators.
My wife, Susan, and my 3 kids from ages 11-3 look forward to joining the Stanly County Schools community. I am a firm believer that our communities make our schools stronger. I want us to work together as communities and stakeholders for the betterment of our students’ education. I look forward to my tenure as the Superintendent of Stanly County Schools and all of the great things we will accomplish.
Sincerely,Dr. Jarrod Dennis
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Dr. Jarrod Dennis is the new superintendent of Stanly County Schools. A veteran educator with 20 years of educational experience, Dr. Dennis served as the Deputy Superintendent of Person County Schools in Roxboro, NC. Dr. Dennis is also a military veteran, having served in N.C. Army National Guard in Iraq from 2005-2006. His first day as Superintendent for Stanly County School district was on Monday, November 2, 2020.
“I am honored to have been chosen by the Board of Education to be the next leader of Stanly County Schools. My family and I look forward to moving to Stanly County and giving back to a community that has given me so much throughout my life.”
Dr. Dennis, a native of Stanly County, attended West Stanly High School and grew up in the Oakboro community. He began his career in education as a teacher at Forest Hills High School. After serving in Iraq, Dr. Dennis returned to the classroom and eventually found his way to school administration. He served as assistant principal for Northern High School in Durham, and as a principal for Orange Charter School (now Eno River Academy), and principal for Person High School. In 2015, Dr. Dennis became the Assistant Superintendent of Person County Schools and was promoted to Deputy Superintendent in 2017.
While serving as Assistant and Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Dennis oversaw the implementation of the district’s one-to-one laptop and digital learning initiative. Dr. Dennis was tasked with creating and implementing all district-wide safety protocols for Person County Schools. He also spearheaded the formal review and creation of the updated Person County Schools policy manual.
Dr. Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in psychobiology from the University of Lynchburg, a Master’s of School Administration from North Carolina State University, an Education Specialist Degree from East Carolina University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University.