Chatham County Public Schools

Chatham County Schools uses several specialized reading and mathematics programs; aligns pacing guides with the N.C. Standard Course of Study to support teachers in lesson planning; has created quarterly reading and mathematics assessments for diagnostic feedback that teachers use to guide instruction; has after school tutoring; and sponsors a spring Saturday Academy for academically at-risk students. Experienced teachers in the district plan and design the pacing guides and quarterly assessments for elementary and middle school students.

Bennett School, North Chatham School, Perry Harrison School, and Silk Hope School had testing performance composites in the eighty percent range. As a result each of these schools earned School of Distinction status.

Chatham Middle School, Horton Middle School, J.S. Waters School, Moncure School, and Pittsboro Elementary School had testing composite scores ranging from 63.2 to 73.5 percent. As a result each of these schools earned School of Progress status.

Susan Little was hired as Chief Finance Officer for Chatham County Schools. “Ms. Little has over twenty-four years of finance experience with school districts. We are glad she is joining our team,” said Dr. Ann Hart, Superintendent of Chatham County Schools.

Florestine Smith was hired as the Director of Child Nutrition. “Ms. Smith was an outstanding candidate and we look forward to working with her,” said Paul Joyce, Assistant Superintendent of Auxiliary Services for Chatham County Schools.

Janice Frazier, Principal of Silk Hope School, is the 2006-2007 Chatham County Schools Principal of the Year. The Principal of the Year is chosen from nominations and voting by fellow county principals.

“Mrs. Frazier is a model of what a school administrator should be. She and her staff are diligent in making Silk Hope School an inviting, academically excellent learning environment for their students,” said Hart.

Frazier came to Chatham County Schools as Assistant Principal of Silk Hope School in 2001. She is in her second year as principal of the school.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my fellow principals. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to be a part of such an outstanding group of professionals and friends. ” said Frazier.

Frazier will now advance to the regional round of consideration that will eventually lead to the selection of the 2007 Wachovia North Carolina Principal of the Year.

The Wachovia Principal of the Year program, now in its eighteenth year, recognizes public school principals throughout North Carolina and is co-sponsored by Wachovia Bank and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Candidates are judged on many criteria including the demonstrated ability to improve achievement of all students from various backgrounds and capability levels.