RICK SHERRILL ACCEPTS SUPERINTENDENT POSITION FOR PAMLICO COUNTY

Charles Rickey (Rick) Sherrill, Assistant Superintendent of Catawba County Schools announced today that he has accepted the position of Superintendent of Pamlico County Schools, effective July 1^st, 2005.  

“I have really enjoyed working with Superintendent Dr. Hart, the central office staff and directors, as well as all of the school principals and their staff during my service to Catawba County Schools,” said Sherrill. “When I started my position as Assistant Superintendent in 2003, I felt as if I was coming back home. My ancestors represent some of the original settlers of Sherrills Ford,” he said. “In fact, my education heritage in Catawba County began, perhaps, with an old school house on Hudson Chapel Road outside of Catawba. Following the sale of the school in 1927, the school was converted to a home—where my grandmother once resided. Today, I proudly maintain possession of the old school bell, a historical artifact of Catawba County Schools.” 

“Through my service in education,” said Sherrill, “I have reached a point where I am professionally prepared and genuinely desire to lead a school system. I have worked in four different public school systems where I have served from teacher and coach--- to principal and Associate/Assistant Superintendent. Pamlico County Schools fulfills my ambition to serve as a Superintendent in North Carolina.”

Prior to joining Catawba County Schools, Rick Sherrill, whom many friends and co-workers refer to as “Colonel Sherrill” (based on his 21 years in the United States Marine Corps), served as Principal of East Burke High School. While there, Sherrill was responsible for all areas of high school operations with an enrollment of 1,940 students and responsibility for leading 165 faculty/staff.  Under Sherrill’s administrative leadership, East Burke was one of the “Top 10 Most Improved Schools in North Carolina” in 1999 and in 2003, the EOC scores jumped from 57 percent to 80+ percent.  Sherrill served East Burke for five years. Other service in Burke County Schools includes leadership as Principal and Assistant Principal of Liberty Middle School, with his first position in Burke County as Assistant Principal of East Burke High from 1993-1995.

In addition, Sherrill led as Associate Superintendent for Alexander County Schools, where he was primarily responsible for Human Resources, with additional duties covering facilities, transportation, and discipline hearings – serving a system enrollment of 5,540 students.

For 21 years, following Sherrill’s initial teaching position with Ashe County Schools from 1968-’70 -- where he also served as Head Football Coach, the “Colonel’s” patriotism called him to duty, as he desired to serve his country during the Vietnam War as a United States Marine. 

Lt. Colonel Sherrill served the United States Marine Corps from August 1970 to September 1991. A Combat Arms Officer and Battalion Commander (twice), Sherrill supervised 60 officers and 1,040 enlisted Marines. He controlled $200,000,000 in equipment assets and $5,000,000 in an operating budget. Sherrill led and directed all phases of training, operations, and maintenance of equipment assets for heavy armored battalions. Most of his service was in operational and command billets. He was selected for early promotion to Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel. Sherrill was honored with the Lefwich Award for Outstanding Leadership as a Captain—based on his training and operations leadership in Second Marine Division.

Sherrill’s educational background includes EDS, Administration, ASU; MA Administration, ASU; and BS Health/PE, ASU; USMC, Command & Staff College, Quantico, Virginia –Commandant’s List Tactics/Strategic; USMC, Advanced Armor School, Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Distinguished Honor Graduate Company Battalion—Division Tactics/Leadership; USMC, Basic Armor S School, Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Distinguished Honor Graduate, Military Stakes Winner Platoon-Company Tactics/Leadership; USMC, Basic Officer Training, Quantico, Virginia, Commandant’s List Infantry Tactics/Leadership; and USMC, Officer Candidate School, Basic Officer Training.

Sherrill has been active in various community organizations in the Unifour area including Rotary International, United Way, Phoenix Homes, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Marine Corps League. He is a member of several professional organizations.

Catawba County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ann Hart, states that Rick Sherrill will be greatly missed: “Everything Mr. Sherrill does in education, he does for the students. He sees that academics are a top priority, that school environments are warm, inviting—and most of all, safe,” said Hart. “He truly understands the value of an education—and takes positive initiative to secure improvements. Pamlico County Schools is very fortunate to hire such an excellent leader with strong vision, direction, and wisdom.”

Rick. Sherrill is married to Bonnie Sherrill, a teacher in Rutherford College. They are the parents of two adult children, a son and a daughter—and they are also proud grandparents to a young boy and girl. 

Mr. Sherrill will complete his term as Assistant Superintendent with Catawba County Schools on June 30^th.