New Leaders Announced for Grady A. Brown, A.L. Stanback

Two new principals have been named to lead A.L. Stanback Middle School and Grady A. Brown Elementary School, both recommended by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones and approved by the Orange County Board of Education at their May 5, 2025 business meeting.

Dr. Jones noted that both of these new leaders have demonstrated long-standing success with increasing levels of responsibility as school leaders dedicated to growing their teachers’ capacity to serve the needs of all students.

“I am pleased to welcome two new principals, Mrs. Kimberly Griffis and Mr. Austin Morris,” said Dr. Jones. “Mrs. Griffis has served as a dedicated member of the Orange County Schools community, and she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to our students, staff, and community. Mr. Morris brings with him a strong background in fostering a positive school culture and supporting the academic needs of students. I am confident that A.L. Stanback Middle and Grady A. Brown Elementary will move in the right direction with their new leaders.”

Mrs. Kimberly Griffis, currently interim principal at Grady A. Brown Elementary School, will assume the principal role at GAB effective immediately (May 6, 2025). Mr. William Austin Morris, currently Human Resources Director for Caswell County Schools, will assume the principal role for A.L. Stanback Middle School effective July 1, 2025.

Mrs. Kimberly Griffis, Grady A. Brown Elementary

Kimberly Williams Griffis served as Assistant Principal at Grady A. Brown Elementary School from 2018 until being named interim principal in January of this year. In that role, she co-led the School Improvement Leadership Team (SILT) and developed the “GAB Buddies” program to recruit and retain new staff.

Starting in 2011, Griffis taught kindergarten and first grade in Wake County Public School System until she interned for school administration at Brooks Museums Magnet School (WCPSS) in 2017. She holds a school administrator’s license (principal) and teaching license (elementary education K-6).

Griffis earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Concentration in Mathematics) and Master of School Administration degrees from N.C. State University, and she slated to complete her Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership also from N.C. State, in May 2026.

Mrs. Griffis says her vision for leading Grady A. Brown Elementary is “to support and blend the work of achieving academic excellence while preserving the nurturing atmosphere of living the CHAMP LIFE that Grady A. Brown has built over the years. Ultimately, I want to be a principal who helps students maximize their potential and creates an environment that empowers teachers and staff to excel.”

Mr. Austin Morris, A.L. Stanback Middle

William Austin Morris has been Human Resources Director in Caswell County Schools since 2024 and will join Orange County Schools for the first time after teaching and leading schools in Wake, Caswell, and Moore Counties. He taught English at Southeast Raleigh (2006-2009) then entered law school and practiced law until 2016. He is a licensed attorney in NC state and federal courts, and served as President of the Moore County Bar Association.

In 2016, Morris returned to education in Moore County Schools as an English and Social Studies teacher (Pinecrest) then an administrative intern (West End Elementary 2020, West Pine Middle 2021). In WCPSS, from 2021-2022 he administered the district “Virtual Academy” and served as Assistant Principal at Needham Broughton High School. 

In 2022, he joined Caswell County County Schools to serve as Assistant Principal at Bartlett Yancey High School, and has served as that district’s Human Resources Director in 2024-2025.

Morris earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill and Master of Education at Wake Forest University. He earned his law degree (J.D.) from Elon University School of Law, and his school administration certification from UNC-Wilmington.

Mr. Morris shared his goals for school leadership: "I look forward to partnering with students, families, staff, and this wonderful community for a successful and positive future at A.L. Stanback. As we prepare together for the coming school year, I will work tirelessly to engage others and ensure Stanback is an outstanding school for each and every student. I am excited to serve as principal for the Bulldogs, and together I know we can build on the long tradition of excellence at ALS.”