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Durham Public Schools To Get Four New Principals

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DURHAM, N.C. — Durham Public Schools announced last week that it has named four new principals to lead an elementary school, a middle school and two high schools, including the new Middle College High School, for the 2005-2006 school year.

Dr. Charles W. Nolan II will take the helm of the new Middle College High School, which opens at Durham Technical Community College in August.

The Middle College High School is a collaborative effort among Durham Public Schools, Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools. The school is designed to allow students to work toward a high school diploma while earning academic credit for an associate degree from the community college or to transfer to a four-year college.

"Being part of a brand new school, and having the opportunity to help set the course for such an innovative undertaking, is a school administrator's dream," said Nolan, who has been the principal of Orange Charter School, in Hillsborough, since 2000.

Joining Nolan in a new leadership position will be Richard Webber, who has worked within the Durham public school system for 25 years. Webber has been appointed principal of Jordan High School, where has served as an assistant principal for about 20 years. He will replace David Christenbury, who has announced his retirement.

Micah Copeland also will replace a retiring principal. Copeland will take over for Ed Forsythe as principal at Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary School. Copeland has been the assistant principal at Chewning Middle School since 2003. He previously served as an administrative intern and fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Club Boulevard.

"Returning to Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Elementary School is an exciting and welcome opportunity for me," Copeland said.

A new opportunity also waits for P. Kathleen Kirkpatrick, who has been an assistant principal and teacher in Guilford County Schools for 17 years. Kirkpatrick will replace Stacey Wilson-Newman as principal of Merrick-Moore Elementary School. Wilson-Norman has been named executive director of elementary schools for the Durham system.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to becoming to Durham," Kirkpatrick said. "I've heard so many wonderful things about Durham Public Schools and about Merrick-Moore in particular. I'm excited to be part of a school system on the move."

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