Dr. Rodney Peterson, Superintendent of Person County Schools, has been selected as the Central Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance (CCRESA) Superintendent of the Year. With 29 years in public education in North Carolina, Dr. Peterson has served as a classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal with Johnston County Schools. He then served as the Executive Director of Support Services, the Chief Academic Officer, and an Area Superintendent, also with Johnston County Schools. He became the Superintendent of Person County Schools in May of 2017.
During his time as Superintendent, Dr. Peterson has exhibited extraordinary leadership qualities and made profound contributions that have significantly advanced educational excellence and student success within the district. His dedication to promoting a culture of leadership for learning has been instrumental in driving positive change, enhancing educational outcomes, and empowering teachers through creating teacher leadership opportunities to expand teacher reach.
Under his leadership, over 70% of elementary, middle, and high schools met or exceeded growth expectations for the 2023-2024 school year, an increase from 60% the previous year. This growth led to 90% of PCS schools earning a letter grade of C or higher under the state’s annual accountability measurement. Additionally, 88% of teachers within PCS met or exceeded student growth measures for the 2023-2024 school year.
One of Dr. Peterson’s most noteworthy achievements has been his steadfast commitment to personalized learning within the district. 100% of students in grades 9 - 12 have personalized plans of study, ensuring they have clear, tailored pathways to achieve their academic and career goals. Dr. Peterson has also forged a strong partnership with Piedmont Community College to develop a Workforce Plan that provides students with real-world career pathways. Under his leadership, the College Prep Academy has grown to over 200 students, offering a transformative opportunity for them to graduate with an Associate’s Degree, giving them a significant head start in their college or career journey.
Community involvement is a cornerstone of Dr. Peterson’s leadership approach. He works tirelessly to develop partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and civic leaders to support the academic and personal growth of all students. He serves on the Economic Development Commission and is regularly working with local businesses to provide workforce opportunities for our students, which can lead to permanent employment beyond high school.
The Central Carolina RESA (Regional Education Service Alliance) was created to provide educational services to school systems in the central region of the state in an efficient and collaborative manner. The governing board is composed of superintendents of the member school systems. Councils in the areas of curriculum and instruction, finance, human resources, technology, public information, and principal leadership operate to promote job-alike cooperation and collaboration. Seventeen school districts make up the CCRESA, which makes it the largest of the eight RESA’s in North Carolina.
Congratulations to Dr. Peterson on this outstanding recognition. PCS is proud to call you our own! Dr. Peterson will be a candidate for the 2025 - 2026 North Carolina Superintendent of the Year, who will be named in the fall.
