By MATT LAMB
Staff Writer
Making personnel decisions at Moore County Schools is a complicated process that involves analyzing personality traits, individual and institutional strengths and weaknesses, and personal occupational trajectories. That said, the district recently announced several leadership appointments, effective July 1. The following appointments have been made:
- Shaun Krencicki has been appointed the principal of Aberdeen Elementary School;
- Sandra Bare will become the principal of Southern Middle School;
- Jamie Synan has been appointed deputy superintendent;
- Stefanie Phillips will serve as the assistant superintendent for academics and student support services; and
- Molly Capps has been appointed as the director for student support services.
Krencicki currently serves as the principal of Southern Middle School, where he led the school to a 9 percentage point increase in its North Carolina school report card grade. Under his leadership, Southern Middle became a pilot for Moore County’s Advanced Teacher Roles program and achieved favorable results in the Teacher Working Conditions Survey.
Before his time at Southern Middle, Krencicki served as the principal of West End Elementary, where he helped the school become the highest performing school in the district for the first time in its history. Additionally, he served as the principal at the Community Learning Center at Pinckney, overseeing a $750,000 federal school improvement grant.
Krencicki holds a master’s in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a Master of Arts in teaching in middle grades English education. He was named District Principal of the Year in 2019.
Bare will assume the principal role at Southern Middle School following her current role as assistant principal. Her experience includes serving as dean of students at Southern Middle. Additionally, she has classroom experience as a third-grade teacher at Sandhills Farm Life Elementary and as a preschool teacher in New Bedford, Mass.
Bare holds a master’s in school administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and a bachelor’s in elementary education with a minor in child development and family relations from East Carolina University. She is also certified in reading K-12 and has received specialized training in responsive classroom and learning-focused strategies.
Synan, who will become the district’s deputy superintendent, previously was assistant superintendent for academics and student support services. Before joining Moore County Schools, she served in Scotland County Schools, where she was a teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of student support services and chief academic officer. She also held positions with Randolph County Schools.
Synan was named the 2012 Wells Fargo District Principal of the Year and received the Dr. Samuel Houston Leadership Award in 2025. Synan earned her bachelor’s from Elmira College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from High Point University and an education specialist degree from East Carolina University. Synan has also served as the Region IV president of the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals Association.
Phillips, principal of Pinecrest High since 2018, will move into the central office after holding roles that included principal of Aberdeen Elementary and as a specialist for science and healthful living.
Phillips was recognized as the 2024 Moore County Schools Principal of the Year and received national honors as the 2021 District Administrator of the Year from the National Speech and Debate Association. She holds a master’s of school administration and a Master of Arts in science education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she also earned her bachelor’s.
Capps, appointed to director for Student Support Services, most recently served as the principal at McDeeds Creek Elementary, a position she has held since 2019. Under Capps, McDeeds Creek was nominated for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction National Blue Ribbon School Award in 2024. The school also received the Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School honor for five consecutive years and was recognized as one of the top schools in North Carolina for meeting growth expectations.
Capps holds a doctorate in educational leadership and curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She also holds a master’s in school administration and reading education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, as well as a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University.
“We are fortunate to have some of the best leaders in the state and country serving our students, staff, families and communities,” said Schools Superintendent Tim Locklair in a news release. “Shaun, Sandra, Jamie, Stefanie and Molly bring a wealth of experience, dedication and vision to our schools. I am confident that their leadership will continue to inspire excellence and help our students reach their full potential.”
In a brief interview with The Pilot, Locklair described the decision-making process behind elevating select principals to the central office.
“Anytime you’ve got a senior district leadership position open, part of the thought process, depending on the roles and responsibilities, it is good to have someone who has sat in a principal seat and done the work of supporting a school and community, and bringing someone who has been successful to the central office,” he said. “Those are the skill sets you need to support the district.”
Locklair said that when it comes to leadership development, it’s imperative to think in the long term.
“You have to be thinking years down the road with leadership and leadership development,” he said. “We try to build structures, actual school leadership academies. That’s something we have to be aware of and look at. We have great principals moving up in senior-level and at the district level.”
As for the most senior level appointment, Locklair is losing his second in command, Deputy Superintendent Mike Metcalf, who will be retiring.
“We are losing a great leader and a great person in Mike Metcalf,” Locklair said. “He brings so much value and impact to Moore County Schools — so much institutional knowledge. Losing Mike is a great loss for the district.”
However, Locklair added, “I’m also excited to have Jamie with the leadership experience she has had; she has had great senior leadership positions.”
Contact Matt Lamb at (910) 693-2479 or mlamb@thepilot.com.
