New WCPSS Leadership Team Takes Shape
September 7, 2011 - A veteran Wake County educator and a telecommunications state president are the latest additions to the Wake County Public School System's leadership team.
"We're proud of the team we're assembling," said Superintendent Tony Tata. "It has the right mix of local experience and new, innovative thinking from a variety of perspectives. What we all have in common are high expectations for student achievement and the will to build a culture of continuous improvement."
The Wake County Board of Education named Cathy Moore as deputy superintendent for school performance at its September 6 meeting. Moore served as WCPSS's Central area superintendent beginning in 2008. Prior to that she was principal of Sanderson High, an assistant principal at Enloe and Apex High, and a teacher for seven years at Enloe High. In her new role, Moore will oversee the area superintendents, who provide leadership and support to regional school principals, all academic functions, special education services, and student services.
The school board also appointed Judy Peppler as chief transformation officer, a new position directing system-wide continuous improvement strategies. Among the departments reporting to Peppler are Data and Accountability (formerly known as Evaluation and Research), Strategic Planning, Student Assignment, and Grants. Peppler was the Oregon state president of Qwest Communications for 11 years, following an 11-year career with its predecessor companies. While in Portland she served on the board of the Portland Schools Foundation and the Oregon Institute of Technology's advisory board.
At previous meetings the school board hired DC Public Schools special education principal Dr. Lisa Grillo as assistant superintendent for special education services, Dillard Drive Elementary principal Dr. Sylvia Wilkins as assistant superintendent for academics, and Durham Public Schools assistant superintendent for human resources Jacqueline Boyd Ellis as Western area superintendent.
"I think with Ms. Moore and her team synchronizing our academic performance efforts, Ms. Peppler overseeing our metrics and innovation, and Dr. Terri Cobb guiding our staff, we can more effectively serve our students and teachers," said Tata. "Parents and citizens demand high-performing schools in every part of Wake County, and this is the team that will be accountable for meeting their expectations."