NCSBA awards 2 Champions who “Thrive in Lee” County Schools

The North Carolina School Boards Association honored Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach as Champion of Education and recognized the “Thrive in Lee” Strategic Plan for Innovation and Excellence in Public Education. Board Member Alan Rummel earned the regional recognition with the Raleigh Dingman Award.

Excellence is thriving in Lee County Schools, and people across North Carolina are taking notice. At the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) Annual Conference earlier this week in Greensboro, Lee County Schools was honored with two prestigious statewide awards recognizing the exceptional leadership and innovative approaches driving success across the district.

Superintendent Dr. Chris Dossenbach was named the recipient of the 2026 Champion of Education Award. He earned the honor for his emphasis on instructional excellence and his efforts to build a districtwide culture of continuous improvement that helped all five previously low-performing schools shed that designation. As a result, Lee County Schools now has zero low-performing schools and ranks among just 24 districts statewide to achieve that distinction.

He has also led the district to earn the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s prestigious Purple Star recognition at all 17 campuses, while working strategically with county leaders and district operational departments to increase classified employee pay and reduce renovation costs through more efficient use of classroom space.

“I am truly humbled and honored to receive this recognition,” Dossenbach said. “When I think of the word ‘champion,’ I think of someone who stands up for what they believe in. And there is nothing I believe in more than the power of public education to change lives.”

Dossenbach emphasized that the award reflects the collective efforts of the district’s students, staff, and leadership.

“While my name may be on the plaque, this recognition is certainly not mine alone. I am blessed with a supportive family, an incredible leadership team, and a Board of Education that believes in our vision and supports our work. Most importantly, this honor belongs to the real champions of Lee County Schools – our students and staff who show up every day, put in the hard work, and continue making our district better. I am simply fortunate to be part of their team.”

Dossenbach’s selection for the Champion of Education Award also reflects his broad impact across the district and community, including his leadership in developing and implementing the Thrive in Lee Strategic Plan, which earned a prestigious statewide honor of its own.

The Thrive in Lee Strategic Plan received the NCSBA’s 2026 Innovation and Excellence in Public Education Award, an annual honor recognizing exemplary work by school boards that develop creative solutions to challenges facing their districts.

The strategic plan stood out for its comprehensive approach to addressing findings from a 2023 external district performance audit, establishing long-term priorities and measurable goals to guide district decisions and drive continuous improvement. The process grew out of a commitment to shift from reactive governance to a proactive, evidence-based strategy connecting central office operations directly to classroom outcomes.

Lee County Board of Education Chair Sherry Womack explained the importance of establishing a clear, unified direction for the district.

“Our district had been without a comprehensive strategic plan to guide its direction and establish a shared vision for the future. When our new administration came on board, they recognized that we needed more than short term goals. We needed a roadmap, a renewed sense of purpose, and a plan that would bring our schools, employees, families, and community together around a common vision.”

That vision is already producing measurable results. In the first year of full implementation, all 14 graded schools in Lee County Schools improved their overall School Performance Score, academic growth measure, or both. The district also increased its four-year cohort graduation rate to 89.2%, exceeding the state average.

“Seeing Thrive in Lee recognized at the state level is incredibly rewarding, but what means the most to me is seeing that vision turn into real progress for the students and staff of Lee County Schools,” said Dr. Dossenbach. “When we started this process, we wanted more than just another strategic plan that would sit on a shelf. We wanted something that would truly guide our decisions, hold us accountable, and ultimately make a difference for our students.”

He continued, “Our Board of Education shared that vision, and we brought together voices from across our schools and community to help shape it. I especially want to recognize Stefanie Clarke, our Executive Director of Accountability, Planning, and Performance, who took ownership of this project and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. She deserves tremendous credit for turning so many ideas and perspectives into a plan we can actually use.”

Womack echoed Dossenbach’s pride in the recognition, emphasizing the importance of turning the district’s shared vision into sustained progress.

“As Board Chair, I am incredibly proud of our district, our leadership, our educators, and our employees. This recognition is not simply about having a plan. It is about putting that plan into action, measuring our progress, celebrating our accomplishments and continuing to raise the bar for our students. Lee County Schools has come a long way, and I believe our greatest accomplishments are still ahead of us.”

The two major statewide awards were not the only honors Lee County Schools celebrated during the conference. Board of Education Vice Chair Alan Rummel was also recognized as the Raleigh Dingman Central Region Board Member of the Year, earning a place on NCSBA’s 2026 All-State School Board.

“This is a well-deserved recognition of Alan Rummel’s commitment to public education and his service to Lee County Schools,” said Womack, who has served alongside Rummel throughout his tenure on the Board of Education. “I appreciate his dedication, thoughtful leadership, and willingness to invest his time and energy in the future of our students and our community. Public education depends on people who are willing to serve beyond themselves, and Alan exemplifies that commitment.”

Rummel said, “I’ve been fortunate to serve alongside a board team that is willing to make tough decisions and do the work necessary to move our schools forward. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together over the last four years, but even more proud of the measurable results we’re seeing for the students of Lee County. That is what this work is all about.”

Nov. 13, 2026

Provided by LCS James Alverson

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