The Caldwell County Board of Education convened on June 25, 2024, and made several administrative announcements.

The Board unanimously approved Dr. Thomas Howell as the new Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Dr. Howell, who has served as the Director of Human Resources for Avery County Schools for the past two years, will officially begin his new role on August 1, 2024.

Dr. Howell succeeds Dr. Bill Griffin, who recently accepted the position of Superintendent for the Alexander County School System. Dr. Howell brings extensive experience to his new position, having served as Principal of Jacobs Fork Middle School for nearly seven years and Principal of Startown Elementary School from 2011 to 2015. Before that, he was an Assistant Principal at Catawba County Schools and an elementary teacher at Claremont Elementary and Iredell Statesville Schools.

Dr. Howell holds a Doctor of Education degree, an Education Specialist degree, and a Master of School Administration degree from Appalachian State University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the same institution in 1999.

The Board of Education also approved several other administrative changes. Dr. Jennifer Dineen has been assigned to Whitnel Elementary School as an Assistant Principal. Christina Byerly, currently at Whitnel Elementary in this role, will serve as Assistant Principal at William Lenoir Middle School. Both transfers are effective July 1, 2024.

In addition, Michelle Brittain, currently serving as Purchasing Agent in the Caldwell County Schools Finance Department, has been promoted to Assistant Finance Director, effective July 1, 2024.

These leadership changes reflect the Board’s commitment to strengthening the educational administrative framework of Caldwell County Schools.