Johnston County Public Schools

Corinth-Holders Elementary's Melissa Waring has been named the Johnston County Public Schools 2025 Media Specialist Employee of the Year. 🎉 Waring’s initiatives and fresh ideas have been instrumental in the success of the media center at CHES. One of Waring’s initiatives was to offer open circulation time each morning, where students may visit the media center before the final bell rings. The initiative has been an incredible success, and now, on any given day, between 40 and 50 students stop in before going to class. Read more about Waring's dedication here: http://bit.ly/4ltKVUV Congratulations, Melissa Waring! 🥳 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Corinth Holders High graduate, Briggs McKenzie, has been drafted as the 127th pick overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2025 MLB Draft. ⚾🧢 So proud of Briggs! We know he will excel as a professional athlete! #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Johnston County Public Schools is one of the best public education systems in the nation, with more than 37,000 students and 5,000+ dedicated professionals. We are more than just a school district; we are a family, surrounded by a community that cares passionately about education! Watch here: https://bit.ly/3IeIXcu #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Reminder: The 2025–2026 student and staff calendars are available on our website! https://bit.ly/3IkNfyQ

Lots of preparation is taking place as JCPS Data Review and Continuous School Improvement Planning Sessions are currently underway! 📈 During these sessions, all 49 school administrators and school improvement teams review their most recent data. Using the data and collaborative conversations with peers and central office leaders, they develop 3 leading goals for the upcoming school year, addressing the following areas: Overall Achievement, Subgroup Performance, & School Climate for Teaching and Learning. #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Corinth Holder High baseball phenom Briggs McKenzie has been a standout for many years and plans to ride his signature fastball into the next phase of his career. ⚾ Whether he continues his journey in Louisiana or elsewhere after being called up in the upcoming MLB draft, we know he will thrive at the next level! Check out McKenzie’s highlight video here: https://bit.ly/bmckenzie #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Big-time dreams meet big-time baseball! ⚾️ Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Corinth Holders High graduate and LSU commit Briggs McKenzie, along with JCPS Director of Athletics Josh Plisko, to highlight Mr. McKenzie and some of his notable accomplishments. McKenzie’s highlight video drops tomorrow! Stay tuned! #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Drive the future! 🚌

Looking for a rewarding career that makes a difference in your community? Join the JCPS Transportation Services team as a bus driver! Enjoy bi-weekly pay, bonuses, paid training, and more.

Visit our website to learn more information and apply today: http://bit.ly/4ewjIhz

#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

The Johnston County Board of Education will convene for its next regularly scheduled meeting today at 5 PM. The meeting will be livestreamed via the JCPS YouTube page, here: http://bit.ly/44kXYC7

Congratulations, Ernie Woodard! 👏 Woodard has been named the Johnston County Public Schools 2025 Facilities and Construction Employee of the Year. He has been employed with JCPS since 2019, beginning his tenure in the Carpenter III position, and in 2024 was promoted to Carpenter Foreman. Born and raised in Princeton, both of Woodard’s parents were JCPS educators. His mother taught at Princeton, and his father was the principal of Glendale-Kenly Elementary before the family moved to Goldsboro, where Woodard’s parents continued their careers as educators with Wayne County Public Schools. What they taught Woodard from an early age was the value of hard work. Children whose parents are educators often spend a lot of time in the schools with their parents while they work, and Woodard was no exception. He watched his mom and dad model a work ethic that inspired him to give 100%, a trait that he exemplifies to this day. Read more about Woodard's award-winnning work ethic: http://bit.ly/40uagpx #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July! 🎆

A 2025 graduate from Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy, Nour Issa, will be attending Johns Hopkins University as a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship.

The Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.

During his time at JCCTLA, Nour took an EMT class that set him on his path towards wanting to help others in times of emergency. Attending Johns Hopkins University on a pre-med track will provide him with the foundation and opportunities needed to pursue his dream.

Good luck Nour! https://bit.ly/4eRC7pD
#GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Johnston County Public Schools is proud to share that Dr. David Pearce was sworn in as Superintendent this morning as he was surrounded by family, colleagues, and community stakeholders. Dr. Pearce is a product of Johnston County and has spent many years serving the district that he now has the opportunity to lead. “I am both humbled and honored to serve in a district that has given so much to me.” Dr. David Pearce Congratulations Dr. Pearce! 👏 Read more about the swearing-in event here: http://bit.ly/3TOW6v9 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Congratulations to Kathryn Farrior on being named Johnston County Public Schools 2025 Employee of the Year for Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability. Farrior is the Workforce Development Specialist for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department! 🥳 Farrior began her career as a real estate paralegal, but education beckoned. Her father was a CTE agriculture teacher, and Farrior had a strong understanding of the program, what it offered students, and the impact it could have on them. So, she shifted her focus from legal work to education. “I did what Daddy always said I should do, and moved into the classroom,” she commented. Learn more about Farrior's award-winning career with JCPS: http://bit.ly/44r1Xvs #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Cleveland High School 2025 graduate, Aayuska Luitel, will be attending Duke University as a recipient of the QuestBridge National Match Scholarship. The QuestBridge National Match Scholarship awards high school seniors a full four-year scholarship to one of fifty-five different college partners. The application process allows students to showcase not only their high academic success but also their unique talents, potential, and story. Aayuska is excited to begin her studies at Duke, as a pre-law student with a double major in Economics and Public Policy. She is also looking forward to giving back to those around her, including her native country of Nepal. From seeing the impact Aayuska has had at Cleveland High School, we know that she will be successful at achieving her goals. Best of luck, Aayuska! http://bit.ly/4nkDHE8 #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Melanie Lee has been named JCPS 2025 Employee of the Year for Administrative and Auxiliary Services! 🎉 As Administrative Assistant for the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Auxiliary Services, Lee’s service directly impacts multiple departments. She also acts as a liaison for the entire district, speaking with parents daily and providing guidance on district-related matters. A Smithfield native, Lee attended South Smithfield Primary and was one of the students to attend the first public school kindergarten in North Carolina. She graduated from Smithfield-Selma High and earned an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Johnston Community College. From there, Lee put her skills into action. Congratulations Melanie Lee! 👏 Learn more about this outstanding professional here: https://bit.ly/3G4kndC

Riley Baker, a 2025 graduate from West Johnston High School, will be attending North Carolina State University as a recipient of the Park Scholarship. The Park Scholarship’s goal is to bring exceptional students from all over to NC State. Recipients are awarded the scholarship based on outstanding accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Riley was part of the Superintendent’s 2024-2025 Student Leaders Cohort that helped to impact the lives and learning of all JCPS students. We are sure he will continue to provide leadership and achieve academic success while at NC State and beyond. Good luck Riley, and Go Pack! http://bit.ly/bakerscholar #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

JCPS is proud to announce that during a special session meeting on June 17, 2025, the Johnston County Board of Education meeting, the board voted to appoint Dr. David Pearce as Superintendent, effective July 1, 2025. Dr. Pearce is a native of Johnston County and has served the district in many capacities, for many years! He brings a strong background in educational leadership and a deep commitment to student achievement, staff development, and community engagement. Dr. Pearce has served as an educator for 23 years in many capacities, including Area Assistant Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Auxiliary Services, and Assistant Superintendent for Johnston County Public Schools. Learn more about Dr. Pearce’s appointment here: www.johnston.k12.nc.us/pearce Congratulations Dr. Pearce! #GreatThingsAreHappeningInJCPS

Here’s to wishing all of the wonderful father’s a day full of love and appreciation! Happy Father’s Day! 💪🔨👔

The JCPS Summer Feeding Meal Pack Program has been full steam ahead today, delivering more than 23,100 meals so far with an hour remaining! Thank you to the many volunteers and @JCPS_cafes staff members for helping make this program a success and for caring for our students!