CONTRIBUTED

Jenny Purvis has been named the new principal of North Moore High School. She is currently principal of Vass-Lakeview Elementary.

Dr. Mamie Allen will serve as interim principal at Vass-Lakeview Elementary. Both appointments are effective Nov. 5

Purvis, an 18-year veteran of the Moore County Schools, has also served as a principal intern at Union Pines High.

"I grew up in Robbins, am a former graduate of North Moore High and have lived in Highfalls for the past 20 years," Purvis. "Many of the students currently at North Moore were my students while I was teaching at Highfalls Elementary. So, obviously, this is a great honor for me to serve the students and community of which I am a part and love so much."

Purvis was one of two Moore County educators and 21 teachers and other education professionals from 12 school districts in the Sandhills region who were selected to participate in the first class of Sandhills Leadership Academy, an initiative designed to produce effective principals.

She began her career at Vass-Lakeview Elementary, later moving to Highfalls Elementary. Purvis earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1994 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master's degree in reading degree from UNC Pembroke in 2012.

"Mrs. Purvis is an outstanding educator whose educational experience and roots in the North Moore area make her perfectly suited to provide the leadership that will continue to move North Moore High School forward," Superintendent Aaron Spence said. "I want to thank interim Principal Jim Thomas for the fine job he has done over the past several weeks and also offer my appreciation to assistant principals Carla Neal and Mike Loutzenheiser.

"The team of professionals at North Moore High School is second to none, and our students continue to benefit each day from the strong staff we have at their school."

Allen has served for the past three years as assistant principal at Vass-Lakeview. Her teaching career began in Robeson County in 1986 and included a five-year stint teaching in Germany before coming to Southern Pines Elementary (presently Southern Pines Primary) in 1993.

She has been a lead teacher at the district level, an assistant principal at Pinecrest High and an assistant principal at both Southern Pines Primary and Southern Pines Elementary.

Allen has earned her bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees all from Fayetteville State University.

"The past three years of my career here at Vass-Lakeview have been some of the very best," she said. "I have come to know and love the students, our families and the community, and feel very much at home here. The students are wonderful, and they are why I come each and every day. The staff and our families have been wonderful as well, and very supportive. I am looking forward to serving the students and families of Vass-Lakeview in this new role and am very honored to have this opportunity."

Spence said, "Dr. Allen has been a wonderful asset to Vass-Lakeview in her role as assistant principal. She has a strong connection with the students, their families and community, and has an exceptional background in education and service to Moore County Schools.

"I'm sure the Vass-Lakeview family will join me in welcoming her, and I look forward to the great things that are ahead for the school under her leadership this year."