February 9, 2024

Dear Holly Springs Elementary Families,

Congratulations to Ms. Danielle Clark on her appointment as Principal of Holly Ridge Elementary School. While she will be missed greatly, I am sure you will all join me in wishing her well as she begins her new journey. Transitions can be difficult at first, but they can also be very exciting.

As we look forward to Holly Springs Elementary School’s continued excellence, an interim principal beginning March 1, 2024, Ms. Carla Jernigan-Baker, will lead Holly Springs ES until a new principal is selected. WCPSS routinely utilizes retired principals as interim principals.  We draw from their many years of experience to provide continuity to the school during the process.

 
Holly Springs Elementary has had countless successes under the leadership of Ms. Clark, and it is important that we work together to find a leader who will support Holly Springs’s continued growth.  I am committed to hearing from all stakeholders and listening to the characteristics and leadership skills you would like to see in the next principal of Holly Springs Elementary.  I am providing the opportunity for parents and community members to submit their input digitally, and I will also provide an opportunity for an in-person input session at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

 
Information received from the parent and community digital survey and in-person input meeting, as well as information received from a separate digital staff survey and staff input meeting, will be used to develop a principal profile and a list of questions that will be used during the applicant screening and selection process. The profile is a very important part of selecting the new principal. 

 
Once the screening and interview processes are complete, a recommendation for hire will be made to the Wake County Board of Education.  In order to provide input digitally, please review the Principal Selection Input Process, which details the process for selecting the next principal for Holly Springs Elementary School. Please know that your input is important to me and must be received by Thursday, February 29, 2024.

 
Thank you in advance for participating in the input process. 

 
Sincerely, 

Ashlie Thompson, Ph.D.  
Southern Area Superintendent