Johnston County Public Schools

In preparation for Attendance Awareness Month in September, JCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pearce signed the Read to Grow Attendance Awareness Month proclamation. Student attendance is directly correlated with achievement and academic performance. Signing the proclamation reaffirms the school district’s focus on attendance as the 2025-2026 school year commences.

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Dr. Dorothy Holley, a chemistry teacher at West Johnston High, recently expanded her educational influence as she visited Senegal, Africa, through the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program.

The prestigious Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program enables U.S. educators to explore international education systems abroad and return home with new global perspectives to share with their students. The Fulbright program was established in the mid-1900s to promote peace and mutual understanding throughout the world.

Read more about Dr. Holley's educational experience here: http://bit.ly/3IUVCBv

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Letitia Lee, Director of Licensure, has been named Johnston County Public Schools 2025 Central Office Employee of the Year. Lee joined the JCPS family in 2017 as a licensure specialist. A native of Johnston County, she graduated from South Johnston High and received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Campbell University.

Before joining JCPS, Lee spent 16 years working at her family’s newspaper business. The business, which had been in her family since the 1950s, at one point included the Four Oaks News, the Benson Review, and The Clayton News and Star. Her parents decided to retire, and with the decline in print media, Lee decided to take a different path. “I’m gonna have a new adventure,” she said.

Read more about Lee's story here: http://bit.ly/3GKe5jI

Congratulations, Letitia Lee! 👏

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West Johnston High graduate, Kaitlyn Nolte, has been awarded the Park Scholarship at North Carolina State University, where she will continue her academic journey as a Mechanical Engineering major.

The Park Scholarship is designed to bring exceptional students to NC State based on a number of outstanding qualities. Nolte was incredibly shocked when she found out she had received the Park Scholarship, but grateful, saying, “It felt like all of my hard work had really paid off.” With hands-on experience in engineering through robotics and a passion for solving real-world problems, Kaitlyn is excited to take her skills to the collegiate level.

Nolte is committed to making STEM more accessible. She helps teach Girls Teach Tech classes, encouraging others to explore their potential in science and engineering.

She’s looking forward to meeting new people, embracing new experiences, and making an impact in her next chapter.

Congratulations, Kaitlyn! http://bit.ly/4kTKfr1

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Johnston County Early College Academy graduate, Barry Everett Alston, is headed to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on an athletic track and field scholarship, where he will continue both his educational and athletic journey at the Division I level.

Alston, a passionate student-athlete, has dreamed of competing at the D1 level since he was a kid. At North Carolina A&T State University, he will be majoring in Computer Engineering, combining his passion for technology with his drive to succeed on and off the track.

Alston is excited for the new social experiences and the range of cultures that college has to offer. We know that the focus and determination he showed at Johnston County Early College Academy will carry him far in this next chapter.

Congratulations, Everett! http://bit.ly/3UmvnGv

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The JCPS 2025 Leadership Conference is in the books! 📚

The final day began with the announcement of our 2025-2026 Principal of the Year Dr. Takicey Dunston of Benson Elementary School, and Assistant Principal of the Year Lauren Strickland of Polenta Elementary.

Attendees then participated in Grade Alike sessions which allowed for synergistic planning and thought sharing.

During his closing remarks, Superintendent Dr. Pearce charged the administrators with sharing and applying what they learned with their teams and carrying the vision forward. ➡️

“When leaders rise, kids win!” -Thomas Murray

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It's always a great day to recognize our School Resource Officers! 💙

School resource officers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our schools, creating a safe environment where students and staff can learn, work, and thrive. Their dedication and hard work does not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated.

Each year at the annual Leadership Conference we recognize these wonderful individuals to say "THANK YOU!" 👏

The following departments partner with JCPS in this effort:
Johnston County Sheriff's Office
Town of Benson PD
Town of Clayton PD
Town of Four Oaks PD
Town of Pine Level PD
Town of Princeton PD
Town of Selma PD
Town of Smithfield PD
Town of Wilson's Mills PD

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