On Sept. 8, 2020, Dr. John Bryant was named the new superintendent of Henderson County Public Schools. This was announced during the monthly meeting of the Henderson County Board of Public Education. This announcement is effective on December 1, 2020.
Bryant, who is currently the Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services will take the position of superintendent on December 1, following the retirement of current HCPS superintendent Bo Caldwell on November 30.
“It is extraordinarily humbling, it has been an honor to serve with the school system,” Bryant said. “I’ve been with the school system for over 14 years now and 20 plus more as an educator, and I have never felt more honored to continue my service, and the opportunity to keep my service for Henderson County Public Schools as superintendent.”
Bryant has a history of working in school systems in and beyond our area. He taught English for four years at Southern Alamance High School in Graham, North Carolina, and then in Florida at Apopka High School from 2003 to 2006. He then returned to teaching English in Western North Carolina at East Henderson High School, and served as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director from 2007 to 2011. Bryant also served as Principal at Glenn C. Marlow Elementary from 2011 to 2014, before transferring to the Central Office as Senior Director of Human Resources.
“I find the daily interaction with students is just absolutely inspirational,” Bryant said. “Whether you’re talking to an elementary age student or a middle school student or a high school student who’s finishing up their career. I just am so inspired by people in progress. I really feel like that’s what we all are, you know, we’re all growing and learning together. I love being around young people who are setting the path for where they’re going next. It just really gets me excited. I love doing it every day.”
Bryant is also very involved in the community outside of the school system. He is on the Board of Directors of Pardee Hospital UNC Healthcare, the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Western North Carolina, and the Executive Board for United Way of Henderson County.
“[Bryant] is a well-known treasure in our community and we are thrilled that he will bring his vision and energy to the Superintendent position for Henderson County Public Schools,” School Board Chair Blair Craven said in a press release.
As superintendent, Bryant wishes to make sure that every student is able to get a rich education, no matter where they attend, and wants to make sure that everyone is granted the best education that can possibly be given to them.
“You know, we have 23 school environments, and I want every one of them to be the most powerful and impactful and positive as they can be for every student who we serve,” Bryant said.
Dr. Bryant wishes that students going through the Henderson County Public School system will look back on their education and view it as a positive experience.
“If we do any work well, it’s that every student who finishes their school career with us, they will say, ‘I got the best education possible that could have been made available to me.’ If anybody says otherwise, we’re falling short,” Bryant said.
By: Lauren Harron, Feature Writer
