Following the recommendation of Cumberland County Schools (CCS) Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., the Cumberland County Board of Education approved three new principals and a principal transfer during their Board meeting held on June 11.
Darius Gillespie, who currently serves as an assistant principal at Montclair Elementary School, will be the new principal of Montclair Elementary School. Gillespie began working with CCS in 2014 as a social studies teacher at Anne Chesnutt Middle School. He received his Master of School Administration from Fayetteville State University in 2019. Gillespie has nearly 10 years of educational experience.
Dr. Taisha Monge, who currently serves as an K-5 Math Curriculum Specialist and Lead K-5 Specialist at CCS Central Services, will be the new principal at Loyd Auman Elementary School. Her career with CCS began in 2012 as an instructional coach, professional development presenter and administrative intern. She received her Doctorate in Education at Capella University in 2020. Monge also has experience in employee relations, organizational restructure and change, curriculum and assessment development and more. She has served in education for more than 18 years.
Kanisha Jones-Dunor, who currently serves as an assistant principal at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Middle School, will be the new principal of Warrenwood Elementary School. Jones-Dunor began working with CCS as a school counselor in 2005 at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Middle School. She received her Master of Education Administration in 2014 from Grand Canyon University. Her experience includes staff development and leadership, school improvement planning and more. She has served in education for nearly 23 years.
Tara Bratcher, who currently serves as the principal at Loyd Auman Elementary School, will transfer to Cumberland Virtual Academy K-5 as the school's new principal. Bratcher began working with CCS in 2005 as an elementary school teacher. She received her Master of School Administration Degree from Fayetteville State University in 2011. Bratcher also has experience in conflict resolution, recruiting, facilitating data analysis and more. She has served in education for nearly 29 years.
Graphic courtesy of CommWell HealthCommWell Health, a large private nonprofit Community Health Center, was recently awarded a competitive grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand essential healthcare access in C
Spc. Alexander Soto, a paratrooper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, presents the modular drone case at the Airborne Innovation Lab, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Feb. 9, 2026. Soto noted the recurring problem of drones
Graphic provided by Sampson County Friends of AgricultureThe Sampson County Friends of Agriculture would like to invite the greater Fayetteville community to their annual Agriculture Rally on March 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Originally organized by
