Superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker Announces Retirement Date

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Pitt County Schools Superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker, whose 35-year career in education includes top county leadership roles since 2005, announced he will retire effective July 31, 2024. He publicly disclosed his decision during Monday's Pitt County Board of Education meeting.

Ranking as the longest-serving superintendent in the state of North Carolina with 19 years of service, Lenker has guided PCS for the past 11 following his appointment in 2013.

"I would like to thank the Pitt County Board of Education for the trust they placed in me by hiring me and allowing me to lead Pitt County Schools," Lenker said. "I could not be more proud of what we have accomplished over the past 11 years. I remember when I came to Pitt County thinking we were the most traditional school system I have ever been associated with ... well, not anymore.

"I am very proud of the team we have put in place and the collaborative way in which we have been able to work to improve the outcomes for our students. This team is in a position to move Pitt County Schools to the next level. I look forward to working with the Board to ensure a smooth transition of leadership in the coming months."

During his PCS tenure, Lenker implemented many successful programs and initiatives that have enabled the district to provide innovative opportunities and support for students, and professional leadership development for staff. Some of the more notable accomplishments include:

Creation of Advanced Teaching Roles at the Kathy Taft Center;
Two (2) Early College High Schools;
Numerous STEM labs, including three (3) North Carolina STEM Schools of Distinction;
Expansion to 25 AVID Schools;
Pitt County Virtual Academy;
Three (3) Dual Language Immersion Programs;
Creation of a Technical Academy with Pitt Community College;
Multiple Thematic Schools;
Various federal grants totaling over $22 million;
Oversight of multiple national and state-recognized Award-Winning Schools;
Graduation rate reached a high of 86.7%;
Provided leadership for renovations at Chicod, C.M. Eppes Middle School and A.G. Cox Middle School;
Maintained in-person instruction for students in addition to providing Pitt County Virtual Academy during the height of COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020-2021 school year.

Amy Cole, current chair of the Pitt County of Board of Education who has served as a delegate during the entirety of Lenker's superintendency, said his tenure will be defined by trust and integrity.

"His superior leadership has brought honor and recognition not only to himself, but also to our students, staff and programs," Cole added. "He has ushered us through funding challenges, technology advances and a pandemic with unwavering leadership. The Pitt County Board of Education wishes him the very best in his retirement, and we thank him for making Pitt County a better place for us all!"

Lenker is very active in professional organizations and committees at the local, regional, state and national levels, often serving as a speaker and presenter in numerous leadership programs while serving Pitt County Schools. Those include the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), North Carolina School Superintendent Association (NCSSA) and the NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program, North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE), Central Carolina Regional Education Services Alliance (CCRESA), Northeast Regional Education Services Alliance (NERESA), North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) and the Superintendent’s AVID Council. He has also served as President for the NCASA and NCASCD as well serving as a mentor for numerous beginning superintendents.

Long-time Board member Benjie Forrest cited Lenker's dedicated service, display of excellent leadership and the focused vision he provided to Pitt County Schools.

"He moved our system forward in such areas as the expansion of Career and Technical Education, the establishment of not one, but two Early College High Schools and creating a very cooperative relationship with our county commissioners which resulted in increased resources for such things as local teacher supplements and SRO's," Forrest said. "It has been an honor serving on the Board during his tenure and I certainly wish for him and his family all of the best as he enters into a well-deserved retirement. God bless."

In addition, his influential leadership among his peers and in the community garnered many accolades, including:

2002 Jones County Principal of the Year;
2012 Southeast Regional Education Services Alliance Superintendent of the Year (SERESA);
2015 North Carolina Association of Educators Superintendent of the Year;
2017 Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award, NCSSA Next Generation Superintendent Development Program;
2018 Central Carolina Regional Education Services Alliance (CCRESA) Superintendent of the Year finalist;
2019 Northeast Regional Education Services Alliance (NERESA) Superintendent of the Year finalist;
2022 Northeast Regional Education Services Alliance (NERESA) Superintendent of the Year finalist;
2023 North Carolina Association of School Administrators’ (NCASA) Raymond Sarbaugh Leadership Award;
2023 Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.

Prior to his appointment at PCS, Lenker served as superintendent in Jones County (2005-2008) and Sampson County (2008-2013).

Lenker, who will turn 60 in May, said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Alice and their two children - Eleanor and Alexandra.