DPS makes hiring moves

School board members approved a new principal at Pearsontown Elementary and two new central office administrators during tonight's school board meeting.

Dionne McLaughlin will become Pearsontown's new principal. She replaces Therman Flowers, who became principal of Reedy Creek Middle in Cary. McLaughlin comes from Chapel Hill-Carborro Schools, where she is the assistant principal at Chapel Hill High. She was an assistant principal at Jordan High during the 2005-06 school year and previously served in Boston Public Schools.

"I want to be a part of ensuring that Pearsontown Elementary, that this part of their lives is filled with curiosity, engagement and academic success," she told the board after they voted 5-0-2 in favor of her. Board member Nancy Cox was not in the room and board member Frederick Davis abstained.

Julie Spencer, principal at Carrington Middle, will become the assistant superintendent for instuctional services, a position formerly known as the senior director for professional development. Spencer will oversee the district's professional development and instructional services efforts, which will allow the assistant superintendents who oversee schools to focus on school improvement. The board voted 6-0-1 in favor of Spencer, with Davis abstaining.

Paul LeSieur will join DPS as the executive director for budget and managment services. He comes from the state Department of Public Instruction, where he oversees the allocation of over $8 billion in federal and state school funds. The board voted 6-0-1 in favor of LeSieur, with Davis, once again, abstaining.