In a rare public conversation that brought together leaders from three of North Carolina’s largest school systems, superintendents from Wake County, Durham, and Cumberland County sat down this week to tackle some of the state’s most pressing education challenges.
Moderated by Akilah Davis of ABC11 Eyewitness News, the candid discussion ranged from school safety and teen violence to the personal journeys that carried each leader from the classroom to the superintendent’s chair.
Leadership in a Time of Crisis
Their remarks come against the backdrop of a critical nationwide teacher shortage—one that experts say has reached “emergency levels” in certain states. For North Carolina, the shortage has a particular dimension: the scarcity of African American male teachers, a group vital to ensuring representation and mentorship for students of color.
“When we talk about the classroom, it’s about more than test scores,” one superintendent noted. “It’s about who stands in front of those kids every day. Representation matters.”
Quick Facts: The Superintendent Conversation
Topic:
School safety, teen violence, teacher pipeline, and the path from classroom to superintendent’s office.
Participants:
Wake County Public Schools (WCPSS) Superintendent Durham Public Schools (DPS) Superintendent Cumberland County Schools Superintendent
Moderator:
Akilah Davis, ABC11 Eyewitness News
Context:
Nationwide teacher shortage, with a sharper decline in African American male teachers. Leaders emphasize the need to balance safety with fostering strong community trust.
Broadcast:
Part 1 of the conversation airs tonight at 6 p.m. on ABC11 WTVD.
From the Classroom to the Corner Office
Each superintendent shared their path into leadership, underscoring how classroom teaching remains at the heart of their work. They described balancing budgets, navigating political pressure, and responding to parents’ anxieties—all while never losing sight of the students who sit in classrooms every day.
“We’ve all been where our teachers are now,” one superintendent said. “We remember the stress, the hope, and the responsibility. That perspective guides every decision we make.”
Durham’s Place in the Debate
For Durham families, these issues strike especially close to home. Durham Public Schools has faced unique challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified teachers while also confronting concerns about safety in schools. With its superintendent at the table, Durham was not only part of the conversation—it was a focal point in exploring solutions that might ripple across the state.
Why It Matters
At the Bull City Citizen, we believe Durham deserves a seat in every statewide conversation about education. The decisions made in school boardrooms and superintendent offices today will shape the classrooms of tomorrow. By chronicling these debates, we aim to ensure families, teachers, and students in our community are never left out of the story.
