The Moore County Board of Education held a special called meeting on Dec. 17, and upon returning from closed session, Board Chair Dr. Robin Calcutt announced the Board’s decision to name Jenny Purvis as interim superintendent, effective March 1, 2026.
Calcutt shared the Board’s confidence in Purvis’ leadership and experience, stating, “Mrs. Purvis is a transformational educational leader with more than 31 years of experience in Moore County Schools, spanning classroom instruction, school leadership and district-level executive administration. She has proven her ability to align vision, strategy, operations and culture to improve student outcomes in organizational efficiency. We all recognize her abilities to build relationships. She has high expectations and she develops systems for long-term success. She is skilled in leading complex operations, supporting staff growth, and collaborating with the Board of Education and our County Commissioners to realize our goals.”
Purvis currently serves as assistant superintendent for operations, where she oversees facilities, construction, maintenance, transportation, child nutrition, and driver education, while managing large-scale capital planning and district operations. Her career with Moore County Schools spans more than three decades and includes service as a classroom teacher, principal, and district-level administrator.
A graduate of Moore County Schools, Mrs. Purvis brings what the Board describes as “deep institutional knowledge and a strong personal connection to the district and community she will lead during this transition period.”
“I appreciate the Board’s confidence and look forward to providing stability and support to our district while keeping student success at the center of every decision,” said Purvis. “Moore County Schools was home to my K–12 education and has also been home to my professional career for more than three decades. I feel honored to have the opportunity to continue serving the community and schools which have shaped me.”
Current Superintendent, Dr. Tim Locklair, announced his intent to retire during the Dec. 1 Board of Education Work Session.
Purvis will serve as interim superintendent through June 30, 2026, while the Board of Education continues its work related to the superintendent search process.
Following the announcement, the Board of Education received presentations from four superintendent search firms interested in assisting the Board with its superintendent search. After the presentations, the Board recessed its special called meeting to allow board members time to review and process the information received in order to determine which firm would best support the superintendent search and the needs of the district.
The Board will resume its special called meeting on Friday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m., in the boardroom of the Central Office, located at 5277 U.S. 15-501 South, Carthage.
Individuals who are unable to attend in person may watch the meeting via livestream on the district’s YouTube channel. Additional information is available on the Board meeting schedule webpage at www.ncmcs.org
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Photo: Chair Robin Calcutt (left) and Jenny Purvis (right) pose just before signing the contract appointing Purvis as Interim Superintendent of Moore County Schools, effective March 1, 2026.
Article and photo contributed by Moore County Schools.
