By a unanimous vote, the CCS Board of Education has named Dan Brigman, Ed.D as the next superintendent of Catawba County Schools.  He is currently serving as superintendent of Macon County Schools in southwestern North Carolina and will begin his tenure in Catawba County on July 1st. 

Board Chairman Joyce Spencer offered a prepared statement that outlined the Board’s search process.  The statement follows:

The Catawba County Board of Education reviewed applications and supporting documentation from twenty-seven (27) excellent candidates and carefully considered the information collected from the community, staff, and principal surveys.  While many qualified people applied, the Board found Dr. Brigman to be the best fit for Catawba County.  The Board is very excited to have found someone with Dr. Brigman’s experience, skills, passion, and commitment to improving education and is confident that he will successfully and progressively lead Catawba County Schools. 

Before beginning his tenure in Macon County, Dr. Brigman served as the superintendent of Coffee County Schools in Manchester, Tennessee.  His prior North Carolina experience includes time as a Director of Middle Grades Curriculum and K-12 Gifted Education in the Rowan-Salisbury School System as well as a high school principal and assistant principal in Transylvania County and Alexander County.  He began his career as a teacher and principal at a middle school and alternative high school in Tennessee.  Dr. Brigman also served three (3) years in the U.S. Navy where he received several awards and recognitions and three (3) years active in the Naval Reserves.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Mars Hill College in North Carolina, a Master’s degree in Education at Tennessee Technical University, and his doctorate in education from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.

During his five and a half years (5 ½) as superintendent of Macon County Schools, Dr. Brigman played a pivotal role in securing capital funding of approximately $43 million to renovate four (4) facilities and to build two (2) new elementary schools and an Early College High School on the Macon Campus of Southwestern Community College.  Under his leadership, the district dropout rate decreased by more than 60%, while the graduation rate increased substantially.  The district’s test scores have also increased steadily during his administration.

Dr. Brigman currently serves as President of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA), a position indicative of his leadership and his excellent reputation among his peers.  Dr. Brigman has been described as a person of the highest character, integrity, and ability – a natural leader with great communication skills and an engaging personality.  He is known as a consensus builder; in Macon County, he met quarterly with advisory councils made up of parents, students, employees, and local business leaders.  He also has a proven track record of improving student performance and has an unparalleled commitment to doing what is best for the students.  

Dr. Brigman looks forward to the opportunity to lead Catawba County Schools and to become a part of the Catawba County community.  He and his wife, Cindy, have four (4) children:  Dylan, Evan, Landon, and Emily.  Dylan will turn sixteen (16) this summer and will be a junior in high school.  Evan will be in the 8^th grade next year and Landon will begin kindergarten.  Emily will turn four (4) this summer.  In his spare time, Dr. Brigman enjoys traveling, camping, cars, and spending time with his family.