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Hoke County Schools announces leadership transitions

By Staff Report, posted Jul 1, 2026 on BizFayetteville.com

Hoke County Schools is pleased to announce a series of leadership transitions across the district as it prepares for the upcoming school year. 

Sandy Grove Middle School and East Hoke Middle School will welcome new principals for the 2026-2027 school year.  

Dr. Stephanie McGirt will lead East Hoke Middle. Dr. McGirt most recently served as assistant principal at SandHoke Early College High School, where she spent the last two years supporting student achievement, school improvement and daily operations. She completed the Assistant Principal Accelerator through the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals’ Association (NCPAPA). Before becoming an administrator, Dr. McGirt taught at SandHoke and at West Hoke Middle School. Last year, she was named Hoke County Schools Assistant Principal of the Year. 

Mrs. Haley Hall was named principal at Sandy Grove Middle School. She has spent the last several years as principal at Don Steed Elementary School. A National Board Certified Teacher, Hall brings 28 years of experience in education to the role, having served as a classroom teacher, academic coach, assistant principal and elementary school principal. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to fostering a positive school culture, building strong relationships and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.  

Mr. David Renninger has been named principal of Don Steed Elementary School. He most recently served as principal of J.W. McLauchlin Elementary School, a role he has held since 2019. Before that, he spent eight years as assistant principal at Sandy Grove Elementary School. Before entering school administration, Mr. Renninger taught at Rockfish Hoke Elementary School, building a strong foundation in student-centered instruction and leadership. 

Rockfish Hoke Elementary School welcomes back a familiar face in Mrs. Angel Baker. Previously, Baker served as assistant principal and as an academic coach at Rockfish Hoke. A proud Hoke County High School graduate, she has served as principal of Upchurch Elementary for the last two years. Before becoming an administrator, Mrs. Baker taught for eight years at Scurlock Elementary and six years at Don Steed Elementary. 

The district is proud to promote two assistant principals to the role of principal.

Ms. Tiffany Tyler moves from assistant principal at Sandy Grove Middle School to principal at Upchurch Elementary. Before her administrative role, she served as the academic coach at Scurlock Elementary School. Tyler also taught at East Hoke Middle School, where she later became an instructional facilitator, demonstrating her commitment to supporting both student achievement and educator development. She was selected in 2024 for the Assistant Principal Accelerator program through NCPAPA. 

Ms. Ashley Locklear will serve as principal at J.W. McLauchlin Elementary School. She has served as assistant principal of Hawk Eye Elementary School for the past three years. Before becoming an administrator, she was an academic coach and instructional facilitator at Hawk Eye. Ms. Locklear taught in Scotland County for 15 years before transferring to Hoke County. She completed the Future-Ready Leadership program in 2025, a leadership development program by NCPAPA.  

Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Spells said the appointments reflect the district's commitment to placing experienced, student-focused leaders in positions where they can make a lasting impact. 

"Strong leadership is essential to creating schools where students and staff can thrive, and I am excited to welcome these outstanding educators into their new roles," said Dr. Spells in a press release. "Each of these leaders brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to student success, and a passion for building positive school cultures. I am confident they will continue to move their school communities forward as we work together to provide exceptional educational opportunities for every student in Hoke County Schools."  

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