Leadership Announcements for OCS Schools and Departments

At its April 20, 2026, business meeting, the Orange County Board of Education approved a number of recommendations by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones for changes in school and district leadership roles.

We are proud to announce the following administrator assignments for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Alaina Burr, Principal for Cedar Ridge High School
• Melinda Fornes, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Crystal Massenburg, Director of Physical Education and Health, Athletics, and Drivers’ Education
   

Alaina Burr, Principal for Cedar Ridge High School

Alaina Burr has been named to lead Cedar Ridge High School, recommended by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones and approved by the Orange County Board of Education at their April 20, 2026 business meeting.

Dr. Jones noted that Ms. Burr has a long track record of success as a bilingual leader with deep experience in supporting students and educators to high achievement through continuous improvement.

“I am excited to welcome Ms. Alaina Burr as the new leader for the Cedar Ridge Red Wolves,” said Dr. Jones. “She has distinguished herself as an exceptional instructional leader and educator, having provided continuous support and professional development for teachers in her roles as an instructional coach and assistant principal. Ms. Burr also brings with her a wealth of knowledge in supporting multilingual learners. With these abilities and more, I am confident that Ms. Burr will keep Cedar Ridge moving in a positive direction.”

Ms. Burr is currently Assistant Principal at Durham School of the Arts and will start her role in Orange County Schools on or before July 1, 2026. She began serving as an assistant principal in 2022 at Southern School of Energy Sustainability (Durham Public Schools) after a one-year internship at Burton IB Magnet Elementary School.

From 2008-2021, Burr served as a teacher and teaching and learning coach at Riverside High School (DPS), where she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) along with both core and elective classes. As a coach, she provided professional development and support to twenty or more teachers. She was recognized as the Riverside High School and Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2012.

Burr’s first three years in education were spent at Hillside High School (DPS) and Eastlawn Elementary School (Alamance-Burlington School System), teaching ESL core classes and also taught newcomers to learn social and academic English. 

“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to serve as principal of Cedar Ridge High School and to join the Orange County Schools team,” said Ms. Burr. “I look forward to partnering with students, staff, families, and the community to build on Cedar Ridge’s strong foundation while continuing to prepare every student for success in high school and beyond.”

Ms. Burr earned her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Greensboro College, and her Master’s of School Administration as a Principal Leadership Fellow at North Carolina State University. She received certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Chiapas, Mexico, and Spanish Interpretation and Translation at Durham Technical Community College. She holds licenses in ESL K-12, English Language Arts 9-12, and School Administrator: Principal.

Ms. Burr has served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, Closing the Achievement Gap Committee, and School Improvement Team, and she has served as department head. She has provided a wide array of professional development for her school and district, as well as for Duke University’s Master’s degree cohorts and The Consortium in Latin American and Caribbean Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University.

 

Melinda Fornes, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Melinda Fornes has been named the new Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) starting July 1, 2026, after serving for the past 9 years as CTE Curriculum and Instructional Management Coordinator (CIMC) for Orange County Schools.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Julie Pack said, “Melinda’s journey with us has been marked by continuous growth, a collaborative spirit, and high impact on the CTE program. We are thrilled to see her lead the CTE program in this next chapter.”

Mrs. Fornes previously taught business education at Cedar Ridge from 2002-2017 and in 2006 was named her school’s Teacher of the Year. She currently serves as secretary for the NC Association of Career & Technical Education CIMC Division and has held numerous leadership roles among her fellow CIMC in the North Central Region and North Carolina.

In 2022, Fornes was North Central Region and North Carolina CIMC of the Year, and in 2023, she was named North Carolina Teacher Educator of the Year (2023). She also served as a Lead Team Member of the NC CIMC Performance-Based Measurement Data Team in 2022, working to advance assessment tools for CTE courses.

Fornes has Served as a Governor’s Teachers Network participant creating statewide lesson plans and resources in Schoolnet, and she has delivered professional development for over 20 years at conferences for the NC Department of Public Instruction on CTE related content.

Melinda Fornes received her Bachelor of Science in Education (Business Education) and Master of Education (Business Education) from East Carolina University.

Reflecting on her new role, Mrs. Fornes said, “I am honored to serve as the next CTE Director and build on the strong foundation already in place. Our focus is to keep the momentum going by expanding opportunities that connect students to real-world skills, career pathways, and meaningful community partnerships. I look forward to working alongside our students, educators, and partners so every student is prepared for success beyond the classroom.”
 

Crystal Massenburg, Director of Physical Education and Health, Athletics, and Drivers’ Education

Crystal Massenburg has been named as the new Director of Physical Education and Health, Athletics, and Drivers’ Education for Orange County Schools. She will start her new role on or before July 1, 2026.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Julie Pack said, “We are excited to welcome Crystal Massenburg as our new director of physical education and health, athletics, and drivers’ education! With her extensive experience we are confident her leadership will strengthen our program and create new opportunities for students to thrive here in Orange County Schools.”

Since 2020, Ms. Massenburg has served South Garner High School (Wake County Public School System) as Director of Athletics and Physical Education Teacher, and she held the same roles from 2016 to 2020 at South School of Energy and Sustainability (Durham Public Schools). She previously taught elementary physical education, worked as a teacher’s assistant, tutor, and volleyball coach in middle school, and led programs for Durham Parks and Recreation as well as Playworks with Americorps.

Massenburg is a Certified Master Athletic Administrator who has received the NC High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award and the Athletic Director of Excellence Award in 2022 from the NC Athletic Directors’ Association (NCADA). She has also served on the NCADA Board of Directors and Teaching Faculty.

Massenburg received her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports Science-Sports Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Master of Athletic Administration Ohio University

She has also served on the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Certification Faculty, where she joined the Executive Leadership Cohort, sat on the Equity and Community Engagement Committee, and served as NC Mentor Chair. She has served as a National Organization of Minority Athletic Directors Board Member.

Ms. Massenburg said, “I am honored and energized to step into this role for Orange County Schools. This opportunity allows me to champion the whole child—elevating wellness, academic success, and athletic excellence—while building programs that empower every student to thrive both in and out of the classroom. I’m excited to get to work alongside our schools and community to create a culture of pride, opportunity, and achievement.”