WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — Wayne County Public Schools (WCPS) has implemented several significant administrative changes as the district prepares for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year. The Wayne County Board of Education approved these strategic personnel moves to strengthen leadership across multiple departments and schools.

New Principal Appointed to Carver Elementary

Sheila West has been named the new principal of Carver Elementary School, bringing extensive educational leadership experience to the role. West previously served as Assistant Principal at Frink Middle School in Lenoir County, North Carolina, a position she held since 2018.

With 26 years of combined teaching and administrative experience, West is well-equipped to lead Carver Elementary. Her educational credentials include a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in school administration, and national board certification.

“Ms. West brings with her teaching and administrative experience that will benefit students, staff and families,” stated Dr. Marc Whichard, Superintendent. “Our district administration will support Ms. West in her efforts to help Carver Elementary continue to build upon its continued academic success in the coming year.”

West replaces Karla Smith, who departed to accept a position with a school district in a neighboring county.

Curriculum and Instruction Leadership Expansion

Kevin Smith Takes on Expanded Role

Kevin Smith, previously serving as Director of Secondary Education, Program Development, and Athletics, has been assigned additional responsibilities as Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program Director. This expanded role comes as Stephen Kelley, the previous CTE director, retired at the conclusion of the school year.

Smith brings substantial experience to his enhanced position, with 31 years in teaching, school administration, and district-level leadership. He has served in his current role since 2022 and holds impressive academic credentials including a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s degree in school administration, and an Education Specialist degree. His excellence in leadership was recognized when he was named WCPS Principal of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year.

Strategic Vision for Career and Technical Education

Under Smith’s leadership, WCPS aims to become a regional leader in CTE programming. His comprehensive approach includes several key initiatives:

Industry Credentials and Employment Opportunities

• Maximizing opportunities for students to earn relevant, industry-recognized credentials
• Creating pathways to meaningful post-secondary employment opportunities

Work-Based Learning Expansion

• Expanding job shadowing, internships, and pre-apprenticeship programs
• Connecting classroom instruction with real-world workplace experience

Partnership Development

• Strengthening relationships with post-secondary institutions
• Expanding partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders

Innovative Pedagogy

• Promoting hands-on learning through projects, labs, and simulations
• Implementing “live projects” that ensure career readiness

Military Program Enhancement

• Supporting JROTC units with additional credentialing opportunities for cadets

“My goal is to ensure that every WCPS graduate leaves us either employed in a life-sustaining career, enlisted in military service, or enrolled in a post-secondary institution,” Smith explained. “Career and Technical Education plays a huge part in achieving this lofty goal. I look forward to working with all of our secondary principals and their staff in this new and expanded role.”

Strategic Communications and Engagement Enhancement

Andrea Freile’s Expanded Communications Role

Andrea Freile has been promoted from Family Engagement & Communications Coordinator to Strategic Communications & Engagement Coordinator, reflecting the district’s commitment to enhanced community outreach and engagement.

Freile brings over 20 years of diverse experience in communications, marketing, engagement, and private consulting to her expanded role. Since joining WCPS in 2022, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership both within the district and in the broader community.

Professional Recognition and Community Leadership

Freile’s extensive community involvement includes service on multiple local nonprofit boards and her current role as a community advisor for the North Carolina Governor’s Advisory Council for Latino Affairs. She is also a recent graduate of Leadership North Carolina, demonstrating her commitment to professional development and community leadership.

Her professional excellence has been recognized through numerous awards, including:

• Leadership North Carolina (LNC) Class 32 Stanley Frank Class Award
• Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Women Inspiring Success & Empowerment (W.I.S.E.) Power Award
• North Carolina Schools Public Relations Association (NCSPRA) Blue Ribbon Gold Awards for Effective Communications & Public Relations
• Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Commander’s Award

Freile’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and English, complemented by a master’s degree in strategic communications.

Comprehensive Communications Strategy

In her new role, Freile will implement a multi-faceted approach to district communications and engagement:

Digital Communications Leadership

• Leading district-wide communications, marketing, and engagement strategies
• Maximizing the effectiveness of the district’s website, social media accounts, and digital tools

Content Creation and Storytelling

• Showcasing student, staff, school, and program successes
• Highlighting specialized programs including CTE, Arts, and STEM initiatives through digital content

Employee Support and Recognition

• Supporting employee recruitment and retention efforts through targeted marketing strategies
• Developing welcome materials and employee recognition programs

Community Partnership Development

• Coordinating the district volunteer program and Partners In Education initiative
• Fostering and strengthening parent and community partnerships with schools

Media Relations

• Serving as a backup spokesperson for news media interactions

“Ms. Freile has a broad range of communications and engagement experience that has directly supported our schools, and which has helped her attain recognition and credibility at both the local and state levels,” noted Dr. Whichard. “To help maximize her new position and role, Ms. Freile will utilize a variety of strategies, analytics, and digital tools to strategically support the school district in its communications, marketing, and engagement efforts.”

Additional Assistant Principal Appointments

The Board has also approved several assistant principal appointments in preparation for the upcoming school year:

• Laura Peedin at Eastern Wayne High School
• Ricardo Arias-Ruiz at Norwayne Middle School
• Julie Hamm at Spring Creek High School

Looking Ahead

These administrative changes reflect WCPS’s commitment to strengthening educational leadership and enhancing student opportunities across the district. With experienced leaders in key positions, the district is positioned to build upon its academic successes while expanding innovative programs that prepare students for future career and educational opportunities.

The implementation of these changes coincides with the start of the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring continuity of leadership as schools welcome students and families back for another year of educational excellence.