Debbie Hite
Vance County Schools has a new assistant superintendent for Finance and Business Operations and a new principal for the Vance County Early College High School, following action by the Vance County Board of Education Monday night.
Jennifer Bennett has been appointed to the assistant superintendent’s position and Debbie Hite has been appointed as the new principal for Early College.
Bennett, who lives in Wake Forest, will join the school system on June 1. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the field of educational finance. Since February of 2013, Bennett has been self-employed through the Sam-I-Am, LLC, independent consulting services for local education agencies. She served as director of governmental consulting services with School Efficiency Consultants, LLC, from September of 2010 to January of 2013. Prior to that position, she worked with Durham Public Schools for almost eight years as the executive director of Financial Services and then executive director of Budget and Management Services. In previous years, Bennett also worked in the N.C. Department of Public Instruction as a general ledger accountant, section chief of the Reporting and Auditing Section and, finally, director of the Division of School Business.
Jennifer Bennett
She is a 1985 graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor of science degree in finance.
Bennett says she is excited about coming to Vance County.
“I am looking forward to joining the team at Vance County Schools and helping our students and staff achieve their dreams,” she said. “My passion and job as a finance professional is to help school districts do the most with the limited resources they have to help their students find success and I’m anxious to help Vance County Schools.”
Hite currently serves as an assistant principal at Northern Nash High School in Nash County. She has worked in that position since August of 2013. She will join Vance County Schools on July 1.
A resident of Nashville, Hite worked as an administrative aide and creative student involvement facilitator at John Rolfe Middle School in Henrico, Va., from September of 2010 to June of 2013. She began her teaching career in September of 2002 at Highland Springs High School with Henrico County Public Schools. She worked as a classroom teacher until June of 2010, including time at Fairfield Middle School and the Basic New Start Alternative School Program, both in Henrico County, Va.
Hite is a 1994 graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., where she received a bachelor of arts degree in political science. She received her master’s degree in Educational Supervision and Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 2010. She currently is pursuing a doctorate of Educational Leadership, with a curriculum and instruction concentration, from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Hite is visiting with members of the Early College staff this afternoon. She’s ready to begin her work with them.
In a message to school staff members, she said, “I look forward to working with each of you in continuing to provide the students of VCEHS with rigorous academic programs that prepare our students for the demands of higher education, as well as a progressive career. I look forward to becoming a part of the Vance Early College High School community and share in your excitement of continuing to prepare our students for college, career and community.”