Moore County's 2024-2025 page

Moore County Schools will welcome three new principals on July 1, 2025—Matthew McLean at Pinecrest High School, Amy O’Neill at West Pine Elementary School, and MacKenzie Sovey at McDeeds Creek Elementary School—each bringing a wealth of experience and a proven record of leadership.

Moore County Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair has been named the 2025–2026 Sandhills Region Superintendent of the Year and is now a finalist for the A. Craig Phillips State Superintendent of the Year Award. This recognition highlights Dr. Locklair’s leadership and the collective efforts of the MCS team, whose work has helped the district rank among the Top 10 in North Carolina for both Grade Level Proficiency and Career & Technical Education. Under his guidance, Moore County Schools continues to expand opportunities for students, including the launch of Moore Innovative High School in Fall 2025.

Moore County Schools hosted its second annual STEM and Technology Awards Day on May 29, 2025, recognizing outstanding accomplishments from across the district in technology education.

The first-place winner’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol, second place will hang in Rep. Hudson’s Washington, D.C. office, and third place will hang in his Southern Pines office.

Union Pines High School senior Alyssa Mabe has been named the first recipient of the Grow Moore Teachers Pathway Scholarship, a collaborative initiative between Moore County Schools (MCS), Sandhills Community College (SCC), and UNC Pembroke (UNCP) designed to address the local teacher shortage and support future educators. Celebrated at a signing ceremony on May 7, 2025, Mabe was recognized for her academic excellence, leadership, and passion for teaching—a passion shaped by her mother’s example and years of community involvement. Through the program, she will complete an associate degree at SCC, transfer to UNCP for her teaching degree, and return to MCS as a teacher. Education leaders praised the milestone as a meaningful step in strengthening the educator pipeline and investing in the future of public education.

Moore County Schools honored the dedication and service of its retiring educators and staff at a Retirement Banquet on May 6, 2025, at the Village Pine Venue in Carthage, N.C. The event recognized 44 retirees, who together contributed 784 years of service to the district, with a total of 883 years when considering their prior experiences in other districts. Superintendent Dr. Tim Locklair expressed deep gratitude for their lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the community. The banquet allowed attendees to celebrate and share memories as the retirees embark on their well-deserved retirement. Moore County Schools extends its heartfelt appreciation to each retiree for their unwavering commitment to educational excellence.

​We are excited to announce several key leadership appointments within the district, effective July 1, 2025. These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to educational excellence and will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our schools and student success.

McDeeds Creek Elementary School has been named a 2024-2025 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School, a prestigious honor awarded to campuses that demonstrate excellence in building a culture where students feel safe, connected, and engaged. This is the 5th year in a row that McDeeds Creek has been awarded this recognition since opening in 2019.

Jamie, a dedicated and innovative Blend+Ed teacher for Connect Academy, is making a meaningful impact on students and families across Moore County Schools. From being named Teacher of the Year in 2016 to helping grow one of the top homeschool supplement programs in North Carolina, Jamie continues to lead with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to student success.

Moore County Schools proudly announces the 2025-2026 district-level award recipients for Alternate Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Principal of the Year. These exceptional educators exemplify the passion, dedication, and leadership that elevate student success and inspire school communities across the district.

Moore County Schools is proud to share that Jamie Synan, our Assistant Superintendent for Academics and Student Support Services, has been selected as a 2025 Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award winner by the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association (NCSSA).

The application window for our Summer STEM Camp and Advanced Robotics Camp is open through March 21! Apply today and ignite your passion for STEM and Robotics!

New Century Middle School has been named a "School to Watch" by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform through the NC Schools to Watch program and The NC Association for Middle-Level Education (NCMLE), joining an elite group of middle schools nationwide recognized for their academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures supporting continuous improvement.

McDeeds Creek Elementary's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has been awarded the prestigious National PTA School of Excellence designation for the 2023-2025 school years. McDeeds Creek Elementary is one of only six elementary school PTAs in North Carolina to receive this recognition.

Moore County Schools is pleased to announce that, at the regular business meeting on December 9, 2024, the Board of Education appointed Ashlee Ciccone to serve as the founding principal of Moore Innovative High School (working title), effective January 10, 2025. Mrs. Ciccone’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to educational excellence are expected to have a transformative impact on students, staff, and the wider community.

We are excited to announce that at tonight’s regular business meeting, the Moore County Schools Board of Education appointed Neil Waters as Chief Administrator for Exceptional Children’s Services, effective January 1, 2025. Mr. Waters' extensive expertise and proven commitment to educational excellence are poised to have a significant positive impact on students, staff, and the broader community.

Quint Dunlap, automotive teacher at Pinecrest High School, has been named a winner of the 2024 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, winning $15,000 for himself and $35,000 for his school’s program. Mr. Dunlap is one of 25 public high school skilled trades teachers across the United States who were surprised with the news that they had won on October 8, 2024.

Moore County Schools is proud to announce Carol Lamphier as the recipient of the 2024 Eileen Vansant Volunteer of the Year Award. In 2006, Carol joined Brownson Presbyterian Church and soon after helped establish the Brownson Buddies Tutoring Program at Southern Pines Elementary School. For the past four years, she has not only trained volunteers but also tutored students in grades 3 to 5. Her deep passion for helping students shines through in her commitment, as she explains, “I love being with the kids and helping those who have needs. I look forward to each year.”

We are immensely proud of the dedication of our entire team and the progress of our students. For the second consecutive year, our district boasts an A-rated school, and we continue to demonstrate improvement in both growth and proficiency. While we will maintain our focused efforts, we are thrilled with the progress made and excited about the potential for continued growth this school year.

Moore County Schools (MCS) is thrilled to participate in a groundbreaking scholarship program initiated by Sandhills Community College (SCC) and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). This initiative aims to nurture and develop local educators, ensuring a robust future workforce within our community.

On April 23, our district came together for our annual banquet, a special occasion to recognize and celebrate the exceptional educators who shape the future of our community. It is with great joy that we announce our 2024-25 Alternate Teacher of the Year, Quint Dunlap; our 2024-25 Teacher of the Year, Shannon Bates; and our 2024-25 Principal of the Year, Stefanie Phillips.