The Moore County Board of Education has extended Superintendent Susan Purser's contract after giving her high marks in her annual evaluation.

Purser's contract was extended one year, through 2012. In a statement released Thursday, the board said it was pleased with Purser's performance.

It said Purser "has again demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and ability in leading the school system to achieve goals in facilities, personnel, finance, and instructional growth and program development for our students."

Board Chairwoman Lorna Clack said in an interview that "it is so easy to do her evaluation because she is doing such a great job."

The board gave Purser high marks on her ability to articulate clearly the needs and concerns of the school system to parents, employees, the county commissioners and residents of Moore County.

Purser's current salary of $147,500, was not changed during the evaluation. It could be re-evaluated at a later date.

Calling the board's feedback "vital to the success of the schools," Purser thanked the board members, the community and the teachers and staff at the schools.

"I am very proud of the work that is being done in the schools," she said. "I also have to give accolades to our community. It is a part of our success. Not only are they prodding us to be better but they are right there eager to lend a hand."

Purser became superintendent in June 2004, replacing Pat Russo, who resigned to take a job with a school system in Virginia. She came to Moore County from Pontotoc, Miss., a school district with 2,250 students. At the start of the 2007-2008 school year, 12,334 students were enrolled in Moore County schools.

"During her tenure, Purser has worked tirelessly to forge a respectful working relationship with the Moore County Commissioners," the board release said. "Under her leadership the numbers of volunteers and citizens involved in our schools show tremendous growth."

This past week, county commissioners approved the school system's local budget, totaling $24.9 million. That funding was about 97 percent of the $25.6 million requested and just less than 2 percent more than the this year's budget.

Purser was instrumental in helping win voter approval of a $53.5 million bond issue last year. Money from that bond will fund the building of two new schools as well other projects at seven other schools. Those projects are for High Falls Elementary, Robbins Element-ary, Westmoore Elementary, Sandhills Farm Life Elementary, New Century Middle, Cameron Elementary and Union Pines High schools, as well as improvements to athletic facilities that have already been started, or in some cases completed. Both new schools are slated to open in 2009.

"Things are running smoothly, and we've had a very good year in Moore County Schools," Clack said.

As for the future, Purser said she expects the school system to continue to strive for success by keeping the focus on learning.

"We have to continue on the path we started of being focused on children," Purser said. "We have to continue our roles as learners and continue developing how we can do a better job each day."

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2473 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.