Carrboro High School Principal Helena Thomas Reassigned; Interim To Be Named Later

Carrboro High School principal Helena Thomas is being reassigned to a new role within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Instructional Services Division, per a release from superintendent Rodney Trice Thursday afternoon. The move will go into effect Monday, July 21.

“This change is intended to support Carrboro High School in restoring stability and strengthening operations following a period of protracted disruptions,” read Trice’s statement.

The “disruptions” referenced by the school district include a walkout protest staged by both Carrboro High students and parents in May against Thomas’ leadership. The demonstration followed a letter on behalf of more than 70 staff members alleging mistreatment and poor communication from the school administration. Thomas was later suspended with pay and barred from the school’s graduation ceremony.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro branch of the NAACP spoke out in favor of Thomas, a Black woman, asking the district to give her due process. They also criticized the decision to place her on paid leave. The school district later clarified that Thomas’ paid leave was not a disciplinary measure. Vickie Feaster Fornville, a member of the CHCCS Board of Education, denied that the board or the district knew anything about the allegations against Thomas that the public was unaware of.

Helena Thomas’ leadership at Carrboro High School was criticized by students, parents and staff. (Image via Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools)

Trice said the district reviewed “a range of concerns” raised by students, parents and staff about Thomas’ leadership. However, he said the district did not find evidence of misconduct or intentional wrongdoing on her part. Still, Trice acknowledged “a fresh start with a change in leadership is necessary to ensure we are meeting the needs of staff, students and families with confidence and clarity.”

“I want to express my appreciation to Dr. Thomas for her service to Carrboro High and her continued service to our school district,” Trice went on to say. “I am grateful that she will remain part of the CHCCS team in a new capacity.”

Associate principal Diego Mureño and assistant principal Tracey Lockhart will remain on staff for the 2025-26 school year. Trice said the district is currently finalizing a plan to name an interim principal at Carrboro High.

Featured image via Carrboro High School

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

CHCCS Year Starts: Faces Challenges of No State Budget

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools started a new school year on Tuesday. While the students returning brings challenges of its own, budgeting over the summer was a challenge with no new state budget. North Carolina’s budget has been in a state of limbo since Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a proposal from Republican legislators in late June. […]

CHCCS Preparing for New School Year while State Budget is Unresolved

At the board of education meeting for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools on July 18, the board heard an update on the state budget’s status: no change. Despite the new fiscal year for North Carolina beginning on July 1, no progress has been made since Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the proposed budget, which did not include […]

CHCCS Considers Teacher Pay Increase

CHCCS superintendent Tom Forcella said next year’s budget has one thing in mind — teacher salaries. “This budget this year has a focus addressing the salary issue problem,” Forcella said. “And very little else in terms of dollars for this year are included in any kind of enhancement of any other kind of programs.” Teacher salaries […]

CHCCS Faces $900k Budget Gap And Loss of 22 TAs

With the new state spending plan in place, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are facing a nearly one million dollar budget gap.

NCGA Approves New Teacher Pay Plan

After weeks of wrangling, the General Assembly voted last week for a $21 billion budget that includes an average seven percent pay raise for teachers.

NCGA Budget Impasse Leaves Local TA's In Limbo

Nearly 100 teaching assistants in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system are in limbo, waiting to find out if they’ll still have jobs when school starts.

Local Electeds React To State Senate Budget

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt and CHCCS board member James Barrett react to the Senate budget and other actions by the NCGA.

Push For Teacher Raises Takes Hold In NC

North Carolina ranks 46th in the nation in teacher salary, but a movement to change that is taking root.

Carrboro High School Enters 2025-26 School Year With New Leadership Team

CHCCS announced veteran educator Valerie Akins would step into the interim principal role for Carrboro High for the 2025-26 calendar.

Carrboro High School Principal Helena Thomas Reassigned; Interim To Be Named Later

Carrboro High School principal Helena Thomas is being reassigned to a new role within the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Instructional Services Division, per a release from superintendent Rodney Trice Thursday afternoon. The move will go into effect Monday, July 21. “This change is intended to support Carrboro High School in restoring stability and strengthening operations […]

›