Public Schools of Robeson County

North Carolina School Boards Association•Lumberton, NC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Schools of Robeson County Board of Education is seeking a superintendent to lead the school system as it continues its pursuit of excellence. Applications are due by September 30, 2026. Public Schools of Robeson County serves approximately 21,000 students across 37 schools in Robeson County, North Carolina. The district employs approximately 1,335 classroom teachers and additional support staff who, in partnership with families and the broader community, are committed to ensuring every student is prepared for success beyond graduation. Guided by its mission "to educate all students by building a foundation for learning in an ever-changing global society," the Public Schools of Robeson County places strong emphasis on empowering students to be successful citizens, workers, and leaders in a global economy. The district is also investing in its students' future through the nearly $87 million Robeson Career and Technical Education Center, opening in the near future to expand career pathways in fields like advanced manufacturing, health sciences, and culinary arts. The district is governed by an 11-member Board of Education. Eight members are elected on a nonpartisan basis from each of the county's eight electoral districts, and three members are elected at large by all qualified voters of Robeson County, all serving staggered four-year terms. Located in the Coastal Plain of southeastern North Carolina, Robeson County is a community of approximately 119,000 residents with a rich and distinctive cultural identity rooted in the presence of the Lumbee Nation, the largest American Indian tribe in the eastern United States, which makes up nearly 39 percent of the county's population alongside significant Black, white, and Hispanic or Latino communities, the latter representing more than 9 percent of county residents. Lumberton, the county seat and largest city, serves as a well-established commercial hub for the southeastern part of the state. The county's position along I-95 supports manufacturing and distribution activity, while agriculture remains an important part of the area's economic identity. Robeson County has one of the lowest costs of living in North Carolina, with a cost of living index well below the national average. The higher education community is anchored by the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a four-year institution with deep historical ties to the Lumbee community, and Robeson Community College, which offers more than 80 programs and career-focused workforce training across multiple campuses in the county. The local economy is led by manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade, alongside agriculture, logistics, and education, with civic organizations and community partnerships that are committed to expanding opportunity and workforce development for all residents.

Requirements

Must meet the legal requirements to be licensed as a superintendent in North Carolina or otherwise be qualified and eligible to serve under State Board of Education policy.
Required to live in Robeson County.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in establishing and articulating a compelling vision for continuous improvement across the district.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in serving in a variety of educational leadership roles, with a preference for experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in understanding the unique demographics, culture, and dynamics of Robeson County and tailoring leadership strategies accordingly.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in strong decision-making, delegation, and follow-through.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in making confident, data-informed decisions with a methodical and courageous approach to addressing challenges.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in leading the successful turnaround of low-performing schools and improving outcomes system-wide.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in applying educational research and evidence-based practices to strengthen curriculum, instruction, and student achievement.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in prioritizing students in all decision-making and policy development, ensuring a student-centered culture district-wide.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in motivating and engaging teachers, staff, parents, and students to support the academic and overall success of all learners.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in leadership in creating and maintaining safe and orderly learning environments.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in strategic planning—short-term and long-term—across academics, operations, and facilities.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in identifying and cultivating strong leadership within the system, while implementing clear and accountable performance plans.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in understanding and managing school system finances (capital and expense) and budgeting with clarity and fiscal responsibility.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in planning, funding, and oversight of school facilities.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in communicating transparently and effectively with all stakeholders, while fostering trust, honesty, and integrity in all interactions.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in listening actively and building strong, positive relationships with the Board of Education, intergovernmental partnerships, and the broader community.
Demonstrated track record of excellence in engagement in community activities and visibility within the district.

Nice To Haves

Preference for experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.

Responsibilities

Establishing and articulating a compelling vision for continuous improvement across the district
Serving in a variety of educational leadership roles, with a preference for experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent
Understanding the unique demographics, culture, and dynamics of Robeson County and tailoring leadership strategies accordingly
Making confident, data-informed decisions with a methodical and courageous approach to addressing challenges
Leading the successful turnaround of low-performing schools and improving outcomes system-wide
Applying educational research and evidence-based practices to strengthen curriculum, instruction, and student achievement
Prioritizing students in all decision-making and policy development, ensuring a student-centered culture district-wide
Motivating and engaging teachers, staff, parents, and students to support the academic and overall success of all learners
Leadership in creating and maintaining safe and orderly learning environments
Strategic planning—short-term and long-term—across academics, operations, and facilities
Identifying and cultivating strong leadership within the system, while implementing clear and accountable performance plans
Understanding and managing school system finances (capital and expense) and budgeting with clarity and fiscal responsibility
Planning, funding, and oversight of school facilities
Communicating transparently and effectively with all stakeholders, while fostering trust, honesty, and integrity in all interactions
Listening actively and building strong, positive relationships with the Board of Education, intergovernmental partnerships, and the broader community
Engagement in community activities and visibility within the district