Purser to Retire in December
Superintendent Susan Purser
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Moore County Schools Superintendent Susan Purser has announced that she will retire in December after 41 years as an educator.
“It’s with a lot of sadness in one regard because I love the work we’re doing,” she said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. “But yet, it’s time. It’s the right time.”
As students returned to school Thursday, Purser began sharing the news of her retirement with her staff and administrators.
Purser said she began considering her options for retirement last January, and she emphasized that her decision is based on her desire to spend more time with her family and to be a more active member of the community.
“It’s not because I’m not happy,” she said. “It’s just that I’ve got 41 years of service, and I have five grandchildren now.”
Purser said she did not make the announcement earlier in the year because she did not want to cause distractions during the system’s budget process or end-of-grade testing.
She added that she wanted to make the announcement once school was in session so that the change would not be as disruptive as it would be over a summer break.
“I was looking for what would be the best time to share with our staff and the community,” she said. “Waiting until school started was the best time to do that.”
The Moore County Board of Education is already taking steps toward having a replacement ready for January. The board is scheduled to hear a presentation from the N.C. School Boards Association during its September meeting to consider hiring the organization to conduct a superintendent search.
Purser has been superintendent of the school system since 2004. She began her career in education in 1971 teaching math in Jackson, Miss.
Before coming to Moore County, Purser was superintendent of Pontotoc City Schools in Pontotoc, Miss.
With retirement ahead of her, Purser said she looks forward to dedicating more time to organizations and activities she has become a part of over the years.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “I will be a member of the community, and I’ll always be a supporter for the school system because it’s an incredible place. I look forward to being more active in contributing to our community on a volunteer basis in a broader sense.”
Purser added that she feels privileged to be ending her career in Moore County.
“The folks in Moore County are absolutely the best,” she said. “I’ve been a number of places, worked with a number of people, and what I’ve found here is that I’m truly blessed to have been a part of Moore County at the end of my career. Few have had the privilege I’ve had.”
Contact Hannah Sharpe at hannah@thepilot.com.
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Comments
JSH0408 1 year, 9 months ago
Thank you Dr. Susan Purser for coming in 2004 and bringing your positive energy. You have made a tremendous impact on the lives of students in Moore County as well as the adults. I should know I have three in school--as well as being an employee of Moore County Schools. You will be missed--May your legacy continue!
222Highland 1 year, 9 months ago
Anyone who has followed Dr. Purser's career since she arrived in 2004 knows what a great job she has done. Her retirement is a great loss for our school system; however, it's good to know she loves Moore County so much that she plans to remain here and continue to be a valuable asset to our community.
RT 1 year, 9 months ago
Dr. Purser's legacy for me will always consist of the closing down of Academy Heights and the shutting down of the IB Program. I don't see her retirement as a great loss. I can't wait to find out who the new superintendent will be.
peacemaker 1 year, 9 months ago
The closing of AHES was sad but it is far from "legacy" status. Her 41 years of commitment to education and her role as a wife and mother are truly her legacy. Let's keep things in perspective.
ProudDaughter 1 year, 9 months ago
Dr. Purser has always put students, fellow educators, school, and the community at the top of her priority list. I can assure you that this most likely will never change...it is what gives her energy everyday. It has been amazing to sit by and watch her passion for her work. I am extremely PROUD of her! Although she is sad about leaving the work she loves, I look forward to watching her enjoy being a grandmother! Thank you Moore County for all you have done to welcome and support my parents! We are forever grateful!
slickwilly 1 year, 9 months ago
If the BOE does not have enough money to run the school system with their budget, how can they afford to pay a recruitment company to find a new superintendent? The BOE already made a mistake in 2004 when they did not hire within and offer the job to Dr. Upchurch. The BOE already has qualified candidates for the superintendent position already working in the county.
slickwilly 1 year, 9 months ago
Once a Puppet Master, always a Puppet Master!!!!
smblack 1 year, 9 months ago
Moore County was fortunate to have the services of Dr. Purser. Her graceful leadership style helped build confidence in our public school system. While there are many other fine leaders she will be missed and, hopefully, appreciated. I know it was an honor and a privledge to serve on the board while she was Superintendent. Thank you Dr. Purser. Sue Black
F14guy 1 year, 9 months ago
The school board will have its work cut out to find a suitable replacement for Susan Purser. I can't imagine that finding a better yes person will be an easy task. One has to look only as far as the IB program debacle to accurately gauge Purser's true concern for the students of Moore County. When certain members of the board (we know who they are) said kill the program, she did so with a cheery aye aye and with absolute minimal regard for the students who had already invested years of time and effort into the program. Done, over, too bad, so sad, get over it. But, she looked good in front of the board and that, of course, is what mattered to her. Hey Doc, just so you know, we all noticed.
clodfelter37 1 year, 9 months ago
We were very, very fortunate to have Dr Purser step in to be in charge of our schools. I would hate to be the person who follows her. Thank you for being a good chief and at the same time being a lady. You will be sorely missed and you are leaving when The Pilot finally got a good picture of you.
ThinkingMan 1 year, 9 months ago
Let me just say that I for one think she has done a good job during her tenure. I did live in Moore, & my wife works in a school system we live in now (Lee), I have worked with kids in Robeson & I have many friends with kids in other surrounding counties. Now I'm not saying she was perfect or anything, just saying from my experience & what I have seen, heard, and/or experienced she has done a good job with the resources she was given. Just my 2 cents!
DFrye 1 year, 9 months ago
I can honestly say that Dr. Susan Purser is a person of impeccable character. I have never heard one curse word or angry remark about anybody come from her mouth. If I ever had a disagreement with her, she always was a lady of the first order in her remarks and calm demeanor. Yes, we have had problems on the board usually because of money, but it is extremely hard to be a superintendent of a school system. People's feelings are hurt many times over decisions that you really do not want to make. A system has to survive and continue however. Happy retirement Dr. Purser! I am proud to say that I had the privilege of nominating you as our superintendent. May God richly bless you and your family! J.Dale Frye
F14guy 1 year, 9 months ago
I'm certain you never heard one angry or forceful remark come from Purser's mouth. Perhaps you should have.
F14guy 1 year, 9 months ago
Resources she was given . . .hmm. Wouldn't a visionary school superintendent think out of the box to find innovative ways to supplement resources given? Wouldn't that person fight for programs to make Moore County among the best in the state academically. I saw no evidence of that sort of thing during her time in the job. If asked if my children are getting a better education now than they were at the beginning of her tenure the answer would be a definitive no. She has sacrificed academic excellence in Moore County for the personal agendas of school board members. Plain and simple.
TreadLightly 1 year, 9 months ago
It really won't make that much difference!
I have heard board members say that the curriculum was pretty much set at state level. I wonder if state level people would say that it is pretty much set at national level? If you do not touch curriculum, then how will you improve the schools? Do we have a good plan but teachers are failing?
When everyone finally realizes where the big Ford, Rockefeller and Dewey type foundations have driven our school systems, you won't need a superintendent--everyone will HOME SCHOOL.
I would like to see some discussion about how a little mother with a high school diploma can sit at the kitchen table with her children, some in different grades, and beat the scoring average of the government schools almost every time. If you think it is because she selected better students, then I would ask why the government schools can't give the achievers a separate class and let them learn up to their potential. Let the drop-out wannabes and the disinterested study at their level until we award them a diploma or they quit coming to school.
If the policy must that ALL children must be treated the same, and all must advance at the same rate, I predict more private schools and more home schooling. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
F14guy 1 year, 9 months ago
Amen.
xemrac 1 year, 9 months ago
Amen!!!! The current trend is teaching to the test...NO THANK YOU! What has happened to the system?! If you say funding, then filter her salary back into the school system...THE CHILDREN....where it belongs!
slickwilly 1 year, 9 months ago
You need to start a consulting business and offer your services to the Moore County BOE! You are smarter than all of them put together. Good Luck….
Sam 1 year, 9 months ago
What a week, Earthquake, Hurricane, and BOE superintendent search. Lord help us!!
Alistener 1 year, 9 months ago
I appreciate Dr. Purser's contribution!
GJohn 1 year, 9 months ago
TreadLightly: Could it be that the mother at the kitchen table is teaching 2-3 children and the classroom teacher is teaching 30-90 children per day? The mom can train and discipline as she sees fit and the teacher has to accept physical and verbal abuse? The mom can spend as long as she wants with one struggling child while the teacher must keep 30 kids engaged and learning simultaneously. The teacher has to kowtow to all of the kids' parents, making everybody happy. The mom can see that each child is different, with differing talents and interests. The teachers has to make every child "successful" or explain why to everyone. See the difference?
Sam 1 year, 9 months ago
The teacher is a trained certified paid professional. The mother is not. See the difference???
GJohn 1 year, 9 months ago
Bless your heart, you just don't get it, do you? The teacher is a trained (yes) certified (yes) paid (hahahaha!) professional - who performs literal miracles every day, even if spitefully biased individuals like yourself can't see it. Have you even been in a public school since the day you graduated high school? It's people like you who tear down the excellent teachers of this world. You ARE the weakest link! Good-bye!
GJohn 1 year, 9 months ago
Umm...by the way, the difference is between 27 and 87 kids every day. That's quite a difference! What's amazing is that teachers help so many students achieve so much success!
Bflat 1 year, 9 months ago
"...and the mom can see that each child is different" should be considered by all teachers in the classroom. That seems to be seriously lacking in most classrooms today.
GJohn 1 year, 9 months ago
Of course teachers see that all students are different and do all within their power to address those differences. The concept was that a parent has the freedom to do that; a teacher doesn't have the freedom or resources that a parent has. You're not a teacher, are you? Bless your heart, you sound like one of those spitefully biased individuals, too. I'm glad most of the general public isn't like you.
GJohn 1 year, 9 months ago
Oh, and keep in mind that most parents do not have special needs children. The classroom teacher can have many special needs children in the same class. The teacher often has no specialized training but must be an "expert" anyway. While teachers love their students and do the best they can for them, it's quite different from teaching around the kitchen table. Were you ever a teacher? I didn't think so!
MonkeyJunction 1 year, 9 months ago
In the new search for a leader they will choose someone not contemplating retirement in such a short period. Being new to Moore County I'm quite sure she served less time than the majority of the current BOE members
SammyPoteet 1 year, 9 months ago
Dr. Purser is a lady that has made hard decisions the last year and these decisions were based on what was best for the children of this district. That is what she was hired to do, and she did it with pose and character. She will be missed.
Toda 1 year, 9 months ago
I'm sure Dr. Purser will be missed. Taxpayers have to keep in mind that there is a significant difference in an administrator with a background in teaching as opposed to an administrator with a background in economics as well as accounting. Her budgets for the last five years were subliminal with actual accounting of expenditures. Perhaps the next person will bring to the office an enhanced business approach to a job that requires extensive knowledge in economics.
F14guy 1 year, 9 months ago
And a vision for achieving excellence.
tarheel86 1 year, 9 months ago
I hope the current BOE will not repeat the mistreatment of Dr. Larry Upchurch done by some of the members of the 2004 BOE.
I hope the current BOE will look within the system for a qualified candidate who has come up successfully through the ranks and knows MCS backwards and forwards. I know that there are many qualified candidates throughout the United States, but there are qualified candidates right here within our own system.
What does it say about a BOE that proclaims MCS to be a superior educational system, yet would not support a product of this educational system for a leadership position?
The current BOE has the opportunity to show all of us that they believe in the abilities of those who were educated in the MCS system who are spending their adult lives dedicating themselves in the MCS system to the education of all children.
Sam 1 year, 9 months ago
Amen
slickwilly 1 year, 9 months ago
Well said!!!
soccermom 1 year, 9 months ago
Good riddance! If only she had made this decision before she orchestrated the closing of one of the top schools in the district and the state. Now if all the current BOE members would follow suit (with the exception of Dale Frye).... Regardless, it's way past time for a change can't wait until the next election.
tarheel 1 year, 9 months ago
Enjoy your retirement!!!!
SmartMom 1 year, 9 months ago
I've survived several district superintendents as a parent and an educator. Dr. Purser is remarkable. Not all of her decisions have made me happy, but she has adeptly advocated for public school students, families, and employees in an anti-public-school Republican county. Much of the opposition against closing the exorbitantly expensive International Baccalaureate program and Academy Heights facility proved racially motivated: white middle class parents wanted their children segregated from African American children.
pinehurstmom 1 year, 8 months ago
Well said! I too am sick of the whining about the closing of AHES. You are absolutely correct about the motivation behind the parents who wanted it kept open and I am tired of hearing about how great a group of segregated, white, middle class kids with educated parents did on the EOG's. Is that really a big surprise?? Dr. Purser has consistently done what is best for the Moore County School System as a whole!
GJohn 1 year, 8 months ago
You are so right! And thank you for seeing that this is an "anti-public school Republican county". It's the main reason our schools have to fight so hard for support and why they have been so severely cut.
slickwilly 1 year, 8 months ago
And your screen name is SmartMon! What a blanking joke!