New Leaders Named for District, Schools, and New Employee Ombuds Role

Orange County Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2024
Contact: Kevin Smith, 336-212-0125

 

The Orange County Board of Education recently approved the following recommendations by Superintendent Dr. Danielle Jones for district and leadership roles in Orange County Schools, at a special called virtual meeting on July 22, 2024. 

The new role of Employee Ombuds was created by Board Policy 7960 (adopted June 24, 2024).

Mrs. Magill was recommended to the Board and approved in April 2024, and she began serving at year-round Hillsborough Elementary in June. 

 

Mr. Fredrick Davis II, Chief Operations Officer

Mr. Fredrick Davis II has been named as the new Chief Operations Officer for Orange County Schools, effective September 5, 2024.

Mr. Davis brings a wealth of experience from his role as Senior Executive Director of Building Services at Durham Public Schools from July 2020 to the present. During that time, he spearheaded the successful opening of three new schools across three consecutive years. 

Mr. Davis previously served YMCA of the Triangle as Senior Director of Property and Facilities from 2017 to 2020, after five years as Project Manager and Lead Planner for Construction and Capital Planning in Durham Public Schools.

He strongly believes that operational excellence is key to transformative impact. 

“We are the transaction that makes the transformational possible,” said Mr. Davis. “I am excited about getting to work to ensure that all students and staff benefit from having access to safe, adequate, and enriching 21st-century learning environments.”

Mr. Davis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Hampton University and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a registered architect and licensed realtor in North Carolina, bringing a unique blend of expertise to our district.

 

 

Mrs. Stacey Burns, Executive Director of Exceptional Children and Pre-K Services

Mrs. Stacey Burns has been named as the Executive Director of Exceptional Children and Pre-K Services, with a start date of September 23, 2024. 

Mrs. Burns brings a wealth of experience in special education, with a proven track record of enhancing services for students with disabilities. She has served as Director of Exceptional Children in Durham Public Schools since 2018, after leading Special Education offices in Harrisburg, PA, from 2013 to 2018. 

She began teaching Special Education students in 2000 in Norfolk, VA, where she helped to pioneer an innovative classroom model that set a benchmark for her district. She excels in strategic planning, team leadership, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and she is passionate about creating inclusive educational environments where every student can succeed.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Burns has overseen special education programs tailored to meet the needs of diverse student populations. She has worked closely with school principals and district leaders to tackle challenges and improve the delivery of special education services. Mrs. Burns is known for her strong communication skills, consistently engaging with parents, guardians, and caregivers to address concerns and provide essential information. She has also led professional development initiatives, focusing on best practices and compliance to support educators in delivering high-quality instruction.

Her dedication goes beyond administrative duties. Mrs. Burns actively coordinates parental involvement initiatives, advocates for safe and effective learning environments, and fosters a collaborative culture among staff. Her work includes developing programs that prepare students for post-secondary success and continuously striving for excellence in all aspects of special education.

Mrs. Burns holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Cabrini University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a Special Education concentration from Norfolk State University. Her education has provided a strong foundation for her leadership and forward-thinking approach in special education.

“I am thrilled to join Orange County Schools as the Executive Director of Exceptional Children and Pre-K Services,” said Mrs. Burns. “The district's unwavering commitment to equity, excellence, and the holistic development of every student resonates deeply with my own values. I am excited to collaborate with the dedicated educators, families, and community members to create an inclusive and empowering educational environment where all students can thrive.”

 

Mr. Franklin McCune, Employee Ombuds and Board Specialist

Mr. Franklin McCune has been named to a new full-time role of Ombuds and Board Specialist, effective August 19, 2024.

Mr. McCune has most recently served as Administrative Assistant and Administrative Specialist to the Board of Education since May 2022. He leaves the role of Administrative Assistant and will continue as Specialist to the Board of Education.

Mr. McCune was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education with a Marketing Minor and a Master’s of Science degree in Higher Education Administration, both from Florida International University. He has higher education experience at the University of Miami, Florida International University, and Miami Dade College. He joined the education non-profit City Year Miami in 2014, planning service days, fundraising, and grant writing, then moving to central operations in 2016. 

In March 2021, Mr. McCune and his family moved to Hillsborough, and he joined Orange County Schools as the Administrative Assistant and Project Coordinator in the office of the Deputy Superintendent.

The role of Employee Ombuds was created by the Board of Education with new Board Policy 7960 “to provide employees with access to an independent, impartial individual who can help facilitate a confidential and informal resolution of concerns, conflicts, and issues arising within Orange County Schools (OCS), and who is authorized to bring systemic and organizational concerns to the attention of the Superintendent and Board.:

An organizational Ombuds as defined by the International Ombuds Association is "a designated neutral who is appointed or employed by an organization to facilitate the informal resolution of concerns of employees and managers of an organization." 

An Ombuds office is characterized by four pillars. It is confidential, neutral, independent, and informal. Franklin is inspired to continue to serve Orange County Schools in this new capacity. He will also remain as the Board Specialist supporting the Board of Education.

“Miami will always be where I am from, but Hillsborough is my new home,” said Mr. McCune. “I am honored to be a part of the Orange County Schools family, and to work with staff in this new Ombuds role.”

Mr. McCune is married to the love of his life, Mrs. Katharine McCune, and they have two sons, William & Ethan, who are the light of their lives. He is passionate about students, social awareness and innovation, community building, and equitable education for all.

 

Mrs. Alexis Magill, Assistant Principal, Hillsborough Elementary

Mrs. Alexis Magill was recommended for her role and approved by the Board of Education in April 2024, and she began serving as Assistant Principal at Hillsborough Elementary School on June 11, 2024.

Mrs. Magill spent the last few years as assistant principal of Highland Elementary and EM Yoder Elementary in the Alamance-Burlington School System.  Previously, she worked with and for children of Alamance and Durham Counties as a fourth and fifth grade teacher in a traditional classroom (Highland), the K-5th grade Thinking Teacher (AIG Specialist) and Testing Coordinator at CC Spaulding Elementary (Durham). She completed a principal residency at Sandy Ridge Elementary (Durham).   

“I am excited to be serving the community in which I live,” said Mrs. Magill. “I spent my early years as an outdoor educator in the Colorado mountains, where I met my husband Jack. These experiences along with raising my three children in the Hillsborough community, have provided me with a unique lens as a school leader and I am looking forward to continuing my journey with you.”

When not cruising around the school campus supporting students and staff, you will find Mrs. Magill exploring trails, spending time with family, and trying out new restaurants.

 

 

Mr. John Wood, Assistant Principal, Gravelly Hill Middle School

Mr. John Wood has been named the Assistant Principal for Gravelly Hill Middle School, effective August 1, 2024. He returns to school administration after serving as Public Information Officer in Chatham County Schools since May 2023. 

Mr. Wood recently served as Assistant Principal at Clayton High School for the 2022-2023 school year after teaching English, digital music, and video production at Research Triangle High School in Durham from 2016 to 2022, where he also became an AP Intern. He previously taught at Cleveland High School, South Johnston High School, and McGee’s Crossroads Middle School, and Clayton High School )where he graduated in 1991).

Mr. Wood has a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Campbell University, and a Master of Science in K-12 School Administration from the University of Kansas. He is currently studying for his Doctorate in Education from N.C. State University in P-12 Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, where he is on track to graduate in December 2025.

“I am very excited to join Principal Williamson and the Gravelly Hill Middle School family,” said Mr. Wood. “I can’t wait to build quality relationships with our Grizzly staff, students, and stakeholders, and I look forward to growing as a servant leader within Orange County Schools.”

Mr. Wood has a breadth of school-related experience, and his Public Relations team in Chatham County Schools earned 13 Blue Ribbon Awards in 2024 from the NC School Public Relations Association. They won for graphic design, photography, special events, and more, including a “Best of the Best” for the state in graphic design. He is the author of North Carolina Trivia: Weird, Wacky, and Wild (in 2010).

His communications experience ranges from announcing Campbell University football and men’s and women’s basketball games for 10 years, to traditional media, where he served several stints as a news and sports reporter, DJ, and photojournalist across the Triangle and in the Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Spokane, WA, markets. He won an Emmy Award for best news writing in 2002 for his work at WAGA-TV 5 in Atlanta.

Mr. Wood is married to Cinnamon Frame, science teacher at Leesville Road High School (Wake County), and they have two successful adult children, Dillon and Skye, as well as two dogs, two snakes, and a cat.

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