The Guilford County Board of Education looked all over the country and then found what they wanted standing right in front of them.
On Wednesday, Aug. 31, the Guilford County school board name Acting Guilford County School Superintendent Whitney Oakley as the new superintendent of Guilford County Schools (GCS).
The vote to hire Oakley was 8-1. School board member Bettye Jenkins voted no.
Not only was Oakley serving as the acting school superintendent but she is a native of Guilford County and a product of Guilford County Schools.
Oakley started her career in education teaching with GCS at Frazier Elementary School and then served as an assistant principal and principal in the Alamance-Burlington School District.
In 2012, Oakley returned to GCS and served as chief academic officer and assistant superintendent of teaching, learning and professional development before being appointed deputy superintendent in September 2021.
In January, Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras announced she would be stepping down and her official last day of work was Aug. 31. In May, the Guilford County School Board appointed Oakley acting superintendent during the transition period.
Oakley is a graduate of East Carolina University, has a masters from Greensboro College and a doctorate in education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
In a press release, Oakley said, “GCS is a great place to learn, work and grow. Having grown up in Guilford County and as a parent of two GCS students, I have a unique vantage point of where we’ve been, where we are today, and where I see us headed. I believe GCS’ brightest days are ahead of us, and I’m honored to serve our school district as its next superintendent.”
Guilford County Board of Education Chair Deena Hayes-Green said, “Dr. Oakley has spent most of her career serving the students and families of Guilford County. She is a collaborative leader who is deeply invested in the success of our community. She is a homegrown leader determined to break down barriers to all children can achieve their full potential.”
Congratulations and let’s remember,
“Trust, but verify “
I am very surprised and extremely pleased that the school board made a great decision, for a change. Perhaps, they realized the error of their ways with Sharon Contreras.
I’ve seen Whitney Oakley on TV while she was acting Super; she comes across as a lady who knows exactly what to do. I sure the GC School System will thrive under her leadership.
OMG…am I dreaming????
Finally, the school board has found a local, qualified person who is a product of the school system and has a long career in the Guilford County Schools. Congratulations and good luck Ms. Oakley. You are a breath of fresh air that has been long overdue.
Just hoping that Dr. Oakley will not be a puppet of the GCSB leadership and the GCBoC leadership. Let her do her job in which she was hired to do. Not what the leadership of the GCBoE dictates to her.
She can’t possibly be any worse than Contreras. Remove the “Doctor” also, you’ll get more respect as a “Mrs.”
I wish her the very best in all of her endeavors!
Lot of support here. But remember the approaching mid-terms in November, about two months away. The Dems want to appear softer, gentler, and maybe not so bad.
What the LEFT wants is complete control of everyone but their people at the top. You may read that Putin has now stopped natural gas exports to Germany, and by effect, Europe. This will push the cradle western civilization into the dark (cold) ages. People from Germany, the UK, Spain, all over; will be huddling in one room for warmth as no one can afford the cost of nat gas. Same for businesses everywhere, only Big Business will survive – we’ll all be working for them.
FYI, the wholesale price of natural gas has more than quadrupled since President Trump left office. About double this past year alone.
This will spread quickly to the U.S. and everywhere else. Who do you think will benefit from this equation? Those in power, who will have all the stuff they need. We will receive just enough to keep us off the street.
All those in power, wealth; and the do-gooders will have all they need. Their private jets now spew out as much carbon as a small European country. No cutting out all that stuff for the rich and powerful, is there, Mr. Gates?