District Leadership Team
Effective July 1, 2025, Tyrrell County Schools will be led by a strong, experienced district leadership team:
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Kristy Christenberry, Director of Career and Technical Education and Auxiliary Services
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Audrey Curles, Director of Human Resources, Technology, and Public Information Officer
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Dr. Jennifer Mason, Director of Exceptional Children, Student Services, Federal Programs, and NC Pre-K
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Brianna Williams, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Testing and Accountability, and Innovative Programs
This team will work collaboratively to ensure that every student in Tyrrell County Schools has access to high-quality, student-centered learning opportunities.
School Configuration for 2025–2026
To better meet student needs while using resources wisely, our Board of Education approved a school consolidation plan this spring. Based on careful planning and community feedback, the plan has been refined:
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Tyrrell Elementary School (TES): Serving Grades K–6
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Columbia Middle School (CMS): Serving Grades 7 & 8 using a dual campus model that provides a focused environment for adolescent learners
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Columbia Early College High School (CECHS): Serving Grades 9–13, continuing its early college partnership with Beaufort County Community College
This approach maintains an important middle-level experience for students while supporting efficiency across the district.
New Principal Appointments
We’re pleased to announce the following new school leadership assignments:
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Amanda Hall-Fleming will serve as Principal of Columbia Middle School and Columbia Early College High School. Ms. Hall-Fleming has over 20 years of experience in Tyrrell County Schools, including roles as teacher, Assistant Principal, Early College Director, and MTSS Interventionist. She is known for her collaborative leadership and dedication to student success.
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Brenton Lago will serve as Principal of Tyrrell Elementary School. Mr. Lago is an experienced school leader with more than two decades in elementary education, including nearly 15 years as a principal in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is recognized for improving school performance, closing achievement gaps, and building strong community partnerships.
While CMS and CECHS will share one principal, the district is committed to maintaining robust administrative support to ensure smooth operations and meet students’ needs each day.
Staff Commitment and Reassignments
In addition to new principal appointments, many dedicated Tyrrell County Schools staff members will be taking on new roles, duties, or school assignments this summer. These reassignments reflect careful planning to make sure every student is supported by qualified, caring professionals where they are needed most.
We deeply appreciate the flexibility, professionalism, and commitment of our staff members who are making these changes with students’ best interests at heart. Their willingness to adapt is vital to the success of the 2025–2026 school year.
Academic Calendars Remain the Same
Families are reminded that the approved 2025–2026 academic calendars remain unchanged. The district has two posted calendars to make planning easy:
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TES & CMS Academic Calendar: Followed by all K–6 students at Tyrrell Elementary and 7–8 students at Columbia Middle School. This alignment helps families with students in both schools.
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CECHS Academic Calendar: Followed by students in grades 9–13 at Columbia Early College High School. This calendar is designed to stay closely aligned with the Beaufort County Community College schedule to support dual enrollment and early college programming.
Both calendars are posted on the district website for families to review.
Our Commitment to Students, Staff, and Families
We know that changes of this scale bring questions and concerns. Tyrrell County Schools remains focused on open communication and thoughtful planning throughout this transition.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Tyrrell County student learns in a safe, supportive, and high-quality environment,” said Dr. Michael Bracy, Interim Superintendent. “We appreciate the community’s partnership as we work to strengthen our schools for the future.”
We will continue to share updates with families and the community as plans move forward. Thank you for your continued support of Tyrrell County Schools!