PENDER COUNTY — The Pender County Board of Education has tapped Brad Breedlove to head the district after a three-month search for the replacement of Steven Hill.
Hill, who has been in education for over three decades, announced his retirement in July after serving as the Pender County Schools superintendent since 2017. He completed his tenure Oct. 10. Michael Bracy, a retired superintendent of Jones County Schools, is serving in the interim.
READ MORE: Pender County Schools superintendent to retire this fall after 32 years of public service
Breedlove spent the first 23 years of his career with Union County Public Schools and most recently acted as chief academic officer, overseeing teaching and performance. He will start his new job in Pender on Jan. 1.
“I am very honored to work with this amazing team of educators,” Breedlove said in a press release. “Pender County Schools has a track record of success in preparing students for life beyond graduation and to be a part of this team is a true honor for me.”
Breedlove’s experience in education is vast. He started his career — after graduating from Duke University, DePaul University, and High Point University — as a high school teacher. He taught social studies for six years at Sun Valley High School in Monroe before becoming assistant principal, and later principal at Monroe High School
He served eight years as principal and was recognized for his leadership abilities. Breedlove was named North Carolina High School Principal of the Year in 2014 and again in 2016, and as the Wells Fargo Southwest Regional Principal of the year in 2014.
The graduation rate at Monroe increased from 73.7% to 84.4% in his first year at the school.
He has worked in district-level leadership roles in Union County, including as director of secondary education and director of school performance.
“As board chair I would like to welcome Dr. Breedlove to the Pender County Schools family,” Pender County Board of Education Chair Brad George said in a press release. “As Chief Academic Officer of one of North Carolina’s top-performing districts with 53 schools, 43,000 students, and 5,000 employees the Board felt he would be a great leader to continue the success and move the district to the next level.”
A Pender County Schools spokesperson told PCD Breedlove was selected out of a field of three finalists. The details of his contract, including his salary, will be finalized Thursday.
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