Superintendent Dr. Rob Jackson has announced new administrator positions for Buncombe County Schools (BCS) for the 2023-24 school year.
These educators were unanimously approved for their positions on Thursday, June 29, by the BCS Board of Education during a special called meeting. These assignments are effective July 1, 2023. The new assignments are below and full principal biographies are here.
Amberle Dalton is the new Principal at Enka Middle School. Ms. Dalton previously served as Assistant Principal at both Enka Intermediate School (2022-23) and Cane Creek Middle School, (2019-2022). She additionally taught at T.C. Roberson High School (2014-2019). Ms. Dalton earned a Bachelor of Business and Marketing Education from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Ms. Dalton brings nine years of service in North Carolina to this role. Ms. Dalton replaces Principal Karen Barnhill who transferred from Buncombe County Schools for another opportunity in education.
Cathy Haughney is the new Principal of Community High School. Ms. Haughney previously served as the Assistant Principal at both Enka Middle School (2022-23) and Reynolds Middle School (2017-2022). Ms. Haughney taught in the Day Treatment Program at Owen Middle (2010-2017) and taught Language Arts and Mathematics at North Buncombe Middle (2003-2008; 1999-2001). Previously, she served as a Lead Teacher and Program Director in an Alternative High School in Colorado. Ms. Haughney earned her Bachelor of Science from Appalachian State University and Master of Arts in Education and Post-Masters Certificate in Public School Leadership from Western Carolina University. Ms. Haughney brings 23 years of North Carolina service to this role.
Dawn Rookey is the new Principal of Owen High School. Ms. Rookey has previously served as Assistant Principal at Enka High School (2020-present) and AP Intern at T.C. Roberson High School (2019-2020). Ms. Rookey taught at C.D. Owen High School (2001 – 2019). While teaching at C. D. Owen High School, Ms. Rookey was selected as the Buncombe County Schools Teacher of the Year in 2013. A National Board Certified Teacher, Ms. Rookey earned her Bachelor & Master of Arts and Master of School Administration from Western Carolina University. Ms. Rookey brings over 20 years of experience to this position. Ms. Rookey will replace Principal Dr. Samantha Sircey who retired.
Dr. Donna Lanahan is the new Director of Secondary Education. Most recently, she served as the Principal of Buncombe County Early and Middle College and the Buncombe County Center for Career Innovation. Additionally, Dr. Lanahan served as the Dean of Students at the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences (SILSA) in Asheville City and previously worked as an instructional coach with North Carolina New Schools (2013-16), the director of the BCS Graduation Initiative (2006-12), a coordinator at the Buncombe County Early College (2004-06), an English/Social Studies teacher at the Buncombe County Middle College (2002-04), and as an English teacher at Clyde A. Erwin High School (1998-2002). Dr. Lanahan has a BA in Literature from UNC-A, an MA in Education from Wake Forest University, an MA in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University (2016), and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University (2012).
As the Board of Education reflected on the increased behavioral and mental health needs of our students and families and the intentional support needed for administrators to effectively and successfully serve all students, the Board made the decision to create a new role in Buncombe County Schools- Assistant Superintendent of Educational Equity and Student Support.
Dr. Jamie Johnson has been selected to fill this important support position. Dr. Johnson has served as Principal at North Buncombe Middle since 2017. Her previous roles include Principal at A.C Reynolds Middle School (2012-2017), Adjunct Professor at Western Carolina University (2012-2013), Assistant Principal at Erwin Middle School (2008-2012), and Buncombe County Schools Teacher (2000-2007). A National Board Certified Educator, Dr. Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science from Mars Hill College and both her Master’s of School Administration and Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University. Dr. Johnson brings 22 years of experience to her new role.
Prepared by Buncombe County Schools.