Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools are not far from welcoming students back to classes for a new academic year, and some new administrators will be doing so for the Carrboro High School community.
The district announced on July 31 veteran educator Valerie Akins would step into the interim principal role for the high school in the 2025-26 school year, with Tracey Lockhart joining as interim assistant principal on July 1. The shift comes after Carrboro High’s previous principal, Helena Thomas, was reassigned earlier in July following a tumultuous spring — which saw staff, parents and students publicly criticize Thomas’ leadership approach and the district launch an investigation into the work environment.
Akins is a long-time principal and principal supervisor, who has stepped into several interim roles within the district after retiring from Guilford County Schools in 2020. For CHCCS, she most recently served as Chapel Hill High School’s interim principal for a few months after Charles Blanchard stepped down in 2023 and previously led Phillips Middle School for an interim assistant principal stint in 2021-22.
“I am honored to serve as your Interim Principal during this important time of transition,” read Akins’ welcome message to families. “As we begin the year together, my focus is clear: to support a strong, steady start for our students, staff, and families—and to help our school continue moving forward with pride and purpose.
“Carrboro High has a proud legacy of academic excellence, student leadership, and community strength,” she added. “During my time in this role, I will lean on the heart of the Jaguar community to guide my leadership, listen intentionally, and support the important work already in motion.”
Lockhart, meanwhile, may be a familiar face to the students and families of Carrboro High School. She is transitioning from serving as Culbreth Middle School’s assistant principal, with the job change already set to happen before Thomas’ reassignment. Associate Principal Diego Mureño remains in his role, having worked in Carrboro High’s central office since 2021.
After putting Thomas on leave in June and preventing her from participating in Carrboro High’s graduation ceremony, the district completed its review and said it “did not find evidence of misconduct or intentional wrongdoing by the principal.” Still, Thomas was reassigned to a role in CHCCS’ Instructional Services Division to “ensure we are meeting the needs of staff, students and families with confidence and clarity,” wrote Superintendent Rodney Trice on July 17.
The district will conduct a full search for Carrboro High School’s next permanent principal after the school year begins, according to Trice. More details about the search process, opportunities to provide input, and an initial meeting between parents with Akins will be shared in the coming weeks.
The first day of instruction for Carrboro High School and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ campuses with traditional calendars is Monday, Aug. 25.
Featured image via Carrboro High School
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