Moore County Schools honors Union Pines Navy JROTC, staff, and students amid hiring complaint

The Moore County Board of Education recognized championship athletics, staff, students and the nationally ranked Union Pines Navy JROTC program during its June 8 meeting. Public comments praised Jennifer Purvis as the newly appointed superintendent and raised concerns about principal hiring decisions.

The Union Pines High School Navy JROTC Program earned the title of Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors. For the second consecutive year, the cadets proved themselves to be one of the top programs in the nation.

During recognitions, the school board recognized the following:

Southern Pines Elementary School

Gloria Crabtree – Certified Staff

Laura Bunch – Support Staff

Pinecrest High School

Hollie Patrick – Certified Staff

Tyrone Thomas – Support Staff

Student

Isabella Robinson, Pinecrest High School

Additional Recognitions:

Track and Field Athletes, Pinecrest High School, 8A State Champions

Men’s Golf Team, Pinecrest High School, 8A State Champions

Women’s Lacrosse Team, Pinecrest High School, 8A State Champions

Navy JROTC Program, Union Pines High School, Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors

During public comments, John Misiaszek and Jim Pedersen said the school district’s best decision ever made was to hire Purvis as superintendent.

Dorothy Brower said she “took exception” to hiring practices.

Brower said the principal appointments for this year and those in the past did not reflect the achievements of “seasoned professionals” who were overlooked in hiring practices, like Crain’s Creek Middle School Principal Shuris A. Campbell. Brower said Campbell had made two schools better. She said the board should come to her community to ask who has been active in their community. Brower said a group of her friends went to Southern Pines Elementary when the new principal came and offered their assistance, and they had not heard back.

The Crain’s Creek Middle School principal is Shuris A. Campbell through the end of June 2026.

The new Crain’s Creek Middle School principal, effective July 1, 2026, is Dr. Quinetta Pratt.

On July 8, the school district announced it had named Jami Burr as the new principal of Southern Pines Elementary School effective July 1, 2026.

The next meeting is June 30 at 11 a.m.

June 9, 2026

Stephanie M. Sellers

Subscribe to Sandhills News and support this conservative flagship journalism with advertising.

Submit news tips, events and interview requests to editor@sandhills.news.

Sandhills News is plain-English local government reporting that explains how decisions affect your land, taxes, schools and rights.