Cris Mulder, chief of family and community engagement for Wake County schools, will join her former boss at the state Department of Transportation as deputy secretary for internal and external affairs.

“We are thrilled to announce this appointment," Transportation Secretary Tony Tata said in a news release Tuesday night. "Cris will be a tremendous asset to our department and the State of North Carolina as we work to better communicate with our citizens and improve customer service. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the private and public sectors and a unique blend of marketing and community engagement skills.”

It's the latest announcement in a busy week of comings and goings at NCDOT, and Tata's second high-level hire from Wake schools.

Mulder starts work March 11, moving into the job created by former DOT Secretary Gene Conti for Ted Vaden, a former News & Observer editor. The job has been empty since Vaden's retirement last fall. She will oversee DOT communications, marketing and community outreach.

Here's what Tata's news release says about Mulder: ... [MORE]

Look, I don't know if it makes any difference sending boys to all-boy academies and girls to all-girl academies.

Most high school athletes don't take up their sports when they reach
ninth grade. Instead, they gain skills and experience while they're in
lower grades by participating in recreational and club sports leagues.

In Wake County, hundreds of middle school-age athletes gain experience
in baseball through the Wake County Club Baseball League.

League play is open to students in grades 6-8 who attend participating middle schools in Wake County.