Type Public Superintendent Stan Williams Budget $ 176,959,000 | Grades 4 Schools 27 District ID 3702010 | |
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Harnett County Schools is a PK–12 graded school district serving Harnett County, North Carolina. Its 27 schools serve 19,704 students as of the 2010–11 school year.
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History
A push for school consolidation began in the 1920s. By 1933, more modern high schools and community schools were developed. Another push for consolidation occurred in the 1970s after desegregation.
The latter push for school consolidations began in 1963. However, county residents four times rejected bond referendums that would help pay for new schools. Even though the bond referendum failed in 1974, the county commissioners moved forward with their plans for the school construction, approving a tax increase to help fund it. The result was three new high schools: Western Harnett and Harnett Central in 1978, as well as Triton in 1986.
Student demographics
For the 2010–11 school year, Harnett County Schools had a total population of 19,704 students and 1,234.92 teachers on a (FTE) basis. This produced a student-teacher ratio of 15.96:1. That same year, out of the total student population, the gender ratio was 52% male to 48% female. The demographic group makeup was: White, 53%; Black, 25%; Hispanic, 16%; American Indian, 1%; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 0% (two or more races: 4%). For the same school year, 56.12% of the students received free and reduced-cost lunches.
Governance
The primary governing body of Harnett County Schools follows a council–manager government format with a five-member Board of Education appointing a Superintendent to run the day-to-day operations of the system. The school system currently resides in the North Carolina State Board of Education's Fourth District.
Board of Education
The five members of the Board of Education are chosen in partisan elections by districts to four-year terms. They generally meet on the first Monday of each month. The current members of the board are: Chuck Levorse (Chair, District III), Vivian Bennett (Vice-Chair, District I), William H. Morris (District II), James Ray Bryant (District IV), and Kevin Gregory (District V). The superintendent serves as secretary of the board.
Superintendent
The current superintendent of the system is Tom Frye. He became superintendent in 2011 after the retirement of Phil Ferrell. Frye was previously the assistant superintendent and has worked in the Harnett County Schools system for nearly 30 years.
Member schools
Harnett County Schools has 27 schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. Those schools are separated into five high schools, five middle schools, and 17 elementary schools.
High schools
Middle schools
Athletics
According to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, for the 2016–17 school year:
Awards
The Harnett County Schools system has had one school listed as Blue Ribbon Schools: Harnett Primary School (2000–01).