The 2025-2026 academic year is off and running with some 47,000 students in the Cumberland County Schools system and a new superintendent aboard.
“It’s really about staying rooted in what matters most — the students, the staff and the mission,” Eric Bracy, 52, said recently in a news release. “They all drive the work that will be done across the district.”
Bracy joins the school system after five years as superintendent of Johnston County Schools. He replaces Marvin Connelly Jr., who retired.
There also will be a new face out at the Central Office on U.S. Business 301, where Tonya William Leathers has been appointed chief academic officer by the Cumberland County Board of Education at the recommendation of Bracy.
William Leathers may be new to CCS, but she is not new to Bracy. She is a former assistant superintendent for Johnston County Schools, according to a news release, and more recently was a partner with The New Teacher Project, where William Leathers managed academic improvement throughout the Southeast. She holds a doctorate in education in K-12 leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University, a master’s in school administration from N.C. State University and a Bachelor of Arts in middle school education from N.C. Central University.
Three schools have new principals
The CCS board also has approved appointment of Tiana Thompson as principal of Morganton Road Elementary and Elan Goodman-Robinson as principal of Luther “Nick” Jeralds Middle School, and Bracy approved transfer of Christin Etchinson as principal of Seventy-First Classical Middle School.
Thompson has worked with CCS for 22 years, including more recently as assistant principal at Morganton Road Elementary, according to the release. She earned two master’s degrees in education administration and arts in elementary education from Gardner-Webb University. Thompson has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from William Peace University.
Goodman-Robinson, with more than 20 years as an educator, recently served as assistant principal at Westover Middle School, where she previously worked as an academic instruction coach. She also taught at Lewis Chapel Middle School. She holds a master’s in education from Gardner-Webb University, where she now is pursuing a doctorate in education leadership studies. Goodman-Robinson earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Fayetteville State University.
Etchison is no newcomer to education, either. With 20 years of experience, she more recently was principal at Luther “Nick” Jerald Middle School and has been an assistant principal at Mac Williams Middle School, Reid Ross Classical School and Gray’s Creek High School. Etchison holds a doctorate in educational leadership, a master’s in arts and a bachelor’s in health and safety education and promotion from East Carolina University.
Epilogue
Bracy is wasting no time getting to know this school system or its challenges.
“As we begin this new academic year, I am excited about the work ahead,” he said Tuesday. “‘Anchored in Excellence,’ our focus is on keeping the main thing the main thing, which is high-quality teaching and learning. We are committed to raising student achievement and supporting our staff so that every student can excel in the classroom and beyond. This year, we are excited to welcome our new chief academic officer and new principals to an already dedicated team of educators and staff. They will play a key role in helping us achieve our goal of becoming one of the best school systems in North Carolina.”
So goes our county schools superintendent, so go the principals who lead under Eric Bracy’s guidance and our teachers who teach our young people. All, no one can argue, go hand in hand, and it’s all we can ask.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
We’re nearing our fourth year of CityView Today, and so many of you have been with us from day one in our efforts to bring the news of the city, county, community and Cape Fear region each day. We’re here with a purpose — to deliver the news that matters to you.
