Two new principals were approved at the Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools Board of Education meeting on Thursday.

Coretta Sharpless was named Principal of Northside Eelementary and Bob Bales was named Principal of McDougle Middle.

Sharpless has served as the Assistant Principal at Northside since the school’s opening in 2013. She has also served as Assistant Principal at Estes Hills Elementary. Sharpless received her Master’s degree from UNC.

Bales has served as the Assistant Principal at McDougle Middle since 2012. He has also served as Assistant Principal, and a stint as Interim Principal, at Chapel Hill High.

Currently, 16 of the 20 CHCCS schools are led by principals who were hired from within the school district, according to officials.

The first day of classes in the city school district in Monday, August 24.

Related Stories
‹
Discussing Absenteeism During Attendance Awareness Month at CHCCS — Speaking of Schools (October 19, 2026)
CHCCS' Ally Scercy, Ashanti Keitt and Allison Crosetto speak with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Monday, October 19 about absenteeism.
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
Former Chapel Hill High School Teacher Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes with Student
David Orion Bennett, who taught at Chapel Hill High School for a decade, formally pleaded guilty on September 28 to a variety of sex crimes.
Tongde Wu Takes Oath of Office, Formally Joins CHCCS Board of Education
Chapel Hill's Tongde Wu took her oath of office at the start of the CHCCS school board's work session on October 1 to formally join its ranks.
The Morning News: Alert Carolina, Armed Robbery Arrest, Seth Jarvis Helping Kids
In today's news: UNC students raise concerns about Alert Carolina, and Chapel Hill police make an arrest in yesterday's armed robbery.
The Morning News: Chapel Hill Library Card Fees, CHCCS Redistricting
In today's news: Chapel Hill imposes a library-card fee for out-of-towners, in response to county-level funding cuts.
Orange County School Board Hears Redistricting Timeline in Preparation for Future Elementary School
Orange County’s Board of Education recently met to hear an update on its redistricting plans in preparation for a new elementary school.
Local Government Meetings: September 28-October 2, 2026
This week in local government: Tongde Wu officially takes her oath of office as the newest member of the CHCCS school board.
Glenwood Parent, Scientific Consultant Tongde Wu Chosen for Vacant CHCCS School Board Seat
Tongde Wu, a scientific consultant and Glenwood Elementary School parent, is set to join the CHCCS Board of Education for a brief term.
The Morning News: New CHCCS Board Member, Newmark on UNC Football Probe
In today's news: the CHCCS board appoints a new member, and UNC athletic director Steve Newmark addresses the recent football investigation.
›