During its monthly meeting this week, the Wayne County Board of Education approved the hiring of Beddingfield High assistant principal, Chris Barnes. He was named the principal of Eastern Wayne Middle. Barnes is replacing Eric Waters, who was recently named principal of Eastern Wayne High for the coming school year.

“Mr. Barnes has a variety of teaching and administrative experience that will benefit the students at Eastern Wayne Middle,” states Dr. David Lewis, WCPS superintendent. “Our district’s leadership team looks forward to welcoming him to his new role and supporting him during his transition.”

Mr. Barnes spent his first 11 years in education as a middle school social studies and language arts teacher. He taught at Toisnot Middle, in Wilson, N.C. and Red Oak Middle in Battleboro, N.C. Prior to his transition to school administration in 2015, Mr. Barnes spent three years as an assistant basketball coach at Barton College and 11 years as the head football coach at Red Oak Middle. As a school administrator, Mr. Barnes has served as an assistant principal at Nash Central High, Toisnot Middle, and most recently Beddingfield High. Mr. Barnes holds a bachelor’s degree in middle school language arts and social studies and a master’s degree in school administration.

Mr. Barnes will begin July 1, 2022.