Bennett named as superintendent of Vance schools; takes over for Jackson on July 1

Jun. 16—HENDERSON — Vance County school board has made Cindy Bennett the new superintendent of Vance County Schools. She will succeed Superintendent Tony Jackson, who's leaving to run the Chatham County Schools, on July 1.

Bennett is the assistant superintendent for student services and strategic planning and is no stranger to the district. She has been in her current post for six years, and a highlight of her tenure was a successful effort to secure a $650,000 grant through the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Board Chairwoman Linda Cobb said the decision to appoint Bennett was based on the dedication she had for the community, students and schools. During her six years, she was also selected as a presenter and panelist at the National Modern Teacher Conference and numerous state-level conferences.

"The Board of Education strongly believed that the best person for the superintendent position was one that knows our community, the goals and mission of the district and could continue carrying out the long range strategic plan and ongoing innovative efforts," Cobb said. "Dr. Bennett has a host of experience and qualifications that guided us in making the decision to hire in-house. We are confident in her leadership for Vance County Schools."

The superintendent-designate said she's excited to lead an innovative, educational organization that will expand educational opportunities for all learners, and serve the Henderson community.

"Our priority will be to catalyze the current innovations within the district and to focus on developing or enhancing partnerships that will become a proven path to opportunity for the students in Vance County Schools," Bennett said. "We have the task of advancing the vision this board has established."

"In doing so, we will continue the development of courageous leaders who eliminate educational inequities, build capacity among the members of our educational ecosystem and ultimately build the bridge to opportunity for all learners, pre-K [through]13," she said.

Bennett brings to the job more than 30 years of experience in education. Bennett began her career in education with Columbus County Schools. She later became a lead administrator in Whiteville City Schools. She also spent two years as a supporting instructor at the N.C. Teacher Academy at East Carolina University

Before joining Vance County Schools, Bennett spent time at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction as the director of curriculum, instruction and technology, as well as a district transformation coach.

During her tenure at the Department of Public Instruction, Bennett was a member of the education team with the Japan Foundation and the Spanish embassy, visiting schools and developing educational strategies in both countries.

Bennett is an alumna of UNC Greensboro, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She got a master's degree in education from UNC Wilmington, and a Ph.D. in K-12 educational leadership from Walden University, which is in Minnesota.

She lives in Henderson with her husband, Ronald Bennett. She is a member of Island Creek Baptist Church in Henderson, serving there as an Adult Sunday School teacher.

Bennett says she looks forward to engaging directly with the community, enhancing leadership for staff at all levels, and providing opportunities for all stakeholders to be active participants in conversations around education in this new era.