Sandhills_Sentinel

Moore County Board of Education appointed Dr. Molly Capps principal of the New Area I Elementary School on Camp Easter Road, scheduled to open in fall 2019, and Dante Poole principal for the new Aberdeen elementary school, scheduled to open in fall 2020.

Capps has been with Moore County Schools since 2012, first as an English Language Arts K-12 Curriculum Specialist, and then the last four years as principal of Aberdeen Primary School.

During her tenure at Aberdeen Primary, she has implemented a STEM program that is being deployed throughout the district; and she has received statewide recognition for implementation of a U.S. Department of Education’s flagship program aimed at improving social, emotional and academic outcomes for students. 

“Dr. Capps continually works toward improving outcomes for herself and her staff by staying ahead in terms of professional development and best practices in instructional strategies,” said Moore County Schools Chief of Academics and Student Support Services Tim Locklair. “I anticipate students and parents at the new school will be delighted with Dr. Capps as their principal.”

Capps earned a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from North Carolina State University, masters degrees in Reading Education and School Administration from UNC Pembroke, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNC Wilmington.

An interim principal for Aberdeen Primary will be announced prior to Capps’ departure.

Poole has been with Moore County Schools since 2007. He has held positions as an elementary school counselor, administrative intern, and assistant principal at both Pinecrest High School and Aberdeen Elementary. He was appointed principal of Aberdeen Elementary in 2016.

During his tenure Poole has implemented school improvement plans that lead to double digit growth in standardized test results; improved satisfaction in teacher working conditions; and has created and maintained meaningful partnerships with stakeholders from the local community as well as nonprofit, religious and higher education organizations.

“Principal Poole has a demonstrated track record of promoting a diverse environment of respect and collaboration with parents, faculty and staff that celebrate differences and lead to positive changes in the classroom,” said Locklair. “His strengths in curriculum development and instructional strategies create classroom environments conducive to situational learning for our students.”

Poole has a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Arts and Sciences form the College of New Jersey, as well as an Alternate Principal Licensure from the Sandhills Leadership Academy.

The construction of the New Area I School on Camp Easter Road is financed by a Limited Obligation Bond and will offset overcrowding at Sandhills Farm Life and Vass-Lakeview elementary schools. The new Aberdeen elementary school is financed by a General Obligation Bond approved by voters last May and will consolidate Aberdeen’s K-2 and 3-5 schools into one K-5 school.

A one-fourth cent sales tax aimed at offsetting costs of construction for these schools, as well as new schools in Southern Pines and Pinehurst, is on the ballot for voter approval this November.

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