Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Eric C. Bracy has been named the 2024-2025 Central Carolina RESA (CCRESA) Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Bracy was presented the award during a CCRESA Board of Directors meeting on May 10, 2024.
The CCRESA Superintendent of the Year award recognizes a superintendent who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to serving students, educators, and the community. Dr. Bracy has exemplified these qualities throughout his tenure, leading JCPS to new heights of success and fostering a culture of collaboration, growth, and academic achievement.
Since becoming superintendent of JCPS in 2020, Dr. Bracy has led the school district to substantial and universal academic growth. He understands the direct correlation between staff morale, relationships, workspace conditions, and academic success. These are constantly at the forefront of all initiatives he sets forth.
“We congratulate Dr. Bracy on this wonderful recognition. He is committed to making Johnston County Public Schools the best in the state."
-Lyn Andrews, Johnston County Board of Education Chair
One of those initiatives was a lofty goal of having all schools achieve school letter grades of A, B, or C, which has led the school district to steady proficiency gains. During the 2022-2023 school year, four schools moved from a school letter grade of D to a C, and four additional schools moved from a school letter grade of C to a B. Just six low-performing schools remain, decreasing from 14 over the past two years. The school district experienced an impressive 2% increase in overall performance, which resulted in 35 schools improving their performance composite, and 29 schools exceeding growth.
“We congratulate Dr. Bracy on this wonderful recognition. His leadership has moved our school district forward in not only academic performance but in the utilization of financial resources,” stated JCPS Board of Education Chair Lyn Andrews. “The focus of his work has always been to provide the needed resources to teachers and staff members to enhance all educational opportunities for our students. He is committed to making Johnston County Public Schools the best in the state.”
For more than 20 years, Dr. Bracy has positively impacted many lives through education. Dr. Bracy's dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture is evident in his proactive approach to building strong relationships with students, parents, educators, and community stakeholders.
“The Johnston County Principals and Assistant Principal Association (JCPAPA) would like to congratulate Dr. Bracy on winning this prestigious award, and we thank him for the continued leadership offered towards our school district and families,” stated Dr. Ryan Ewell, JCPAPA Chair and principal of Cleveland Elementary.
Dr. Bracy has a remarkable ability to inspire and motivate others, always leading by example with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. His previous tenures as principal in Vance County Schools and Durham Public Schools are noted for the increased performance experienced with those schools. He incorporated the same progressive leadership style in his former superintendent roles in Northampton County Schools (five years) and Sampson County Schools (six years) and experienced significant success.
Congratulations to Superintendent Dr. Eric C. Bracy on this distinguished recognition. Dr. Bracy is now a candidate for the 2024-2025 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, which will be selected later this fall.