Murphy – Murphy High School Principal Lisa Fletcher is leaving Cherokee County Schools to become superintendent of Transylvania County Schools, with a start date of July 1.
Fletcher will take charge of a nine-school district with 3,239 students. Based in Brevard, the school district includes 12 schools – three high schools, two middle schools, four elementary schools and three preschools. About one-third of the students in the school district are on free or reduced price lunches. The school district has an annual budget just over $39 million, according to U.S. News & World Report-compiled data.
If that sounds familiar, it should. Cherokee County has very similar numbers – an enrollment of 2,953 students and a $39 million budget. However, Cherokee County has twice the number of schools at 24, including five high schools, six middle schools, seven elementary schools and six preschools. Just over half of the district’s pupils are on free or reduced lunch.
“I’m honored and excited to serve the people of Transylvania County as the next superintendent,” Fletcher was quoted in a release.
“The school district has a rich tradition of academic achievement. I hope to further that tradition by working closely with students, parents, community members, as well as our incredible school staff and professional educators, to bring out the best in each student.”
Fletcher has had her eye on moving into a superintendent’s position for some time. Transylvania County was her third try.
Fletcher applied for superintendent in Hyde County on the coast but was not a finalist. She was one of 13 who applied for Cherokee County superintendent of schools to replace Dr. Jeana Conley, who retired in 2022. Dr. Keevin Woody, then an administrator with Roane County Schools in Tennessee, was selected from among the applicants. His first day on the job was Nov. 1, 2022.
“I got better each time,” she said about the application process. She realized that for a superintendent-level position, she needed to sell herself, something she was unaccustomed to.
“In education, you don’t do anything alone,” she told the Cherokee Scout.
Fletcher submitted her resignation Thursday and plans to work through Thursday, June 29, although she may take a day or two off in the meantime.
Look for more on this story in next week’s edition.