After naming Dr. Steven Taylor as its new Executive Director in late May, Wayne Preparatory Academy has notified parents that Taylor is no longer able to accept the position.
Wayne Prep emailed parents on Thursday afternoon informing them of the change, and that the school’s board had agreed to name Interim Executive Director Dr. Tina Hinson, as the next Executive Director at Wayne Prep.
The email from Wayne Prep read, “After further discussion Dr. Steven Taylor was no longer able to accept the position of Executive Director. We wish him well in all his future endeavors and am grateful for all he has done to support education in Wayne County. After reaching this agreement, the Board immediately agreed to proceed with another applicant, the Interim Executive Director, Dr. Tina Hinson. We are excited to begin the next chapter of WPA.
Many of you are familiar with Dr. Hinson’s impressive resumes which includes serving as the elementary school principal since 2021 and prior to that spent time as a 4th grade teacher here at Wayne Prep. Dr. Hinson also is a member of the Wayne Preparatory Academy School Improvement Team.
Prior to her tenure here, Dr. Hinson taught mathematics and health in Wayne County and Duplin County Public Schools, served as assistant principal at South Lenoir High School and Long Hill Elementary School, principal at Pink Hill Elementary and as curriculum coach at Benson Middle School. In addition, Dr. Hinson served as the executive director of curriculum and the director of testing and accountability for Lenoir County Public Schools, and director of curriculum and instruction for Weldon City School.
Immediately prior to rejoining Wayne Prep in 2021, Dr. Hinson spent three years with the NC Department of Public Instruction as the Program Administrator for Federal Programs Monitoring and Support Division, Eastern Charters, Southeast Region. In this position Dr. Hinson worked with multiple charter schools to ensure that they remained in compliance with federal program mandates, helped schools build their capacity in order to improve student outcomes, and assisted schools in their budgetary processes.
Dr. Hinson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Atlantic Christian College, her Master of School Administration from East Carolina University and her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University.
We expect Dr. Hinson’s time at WPA to be a time of growth both professionally and academically, as the board desires to see the bar continuously raised for our scholars. As always, WPA strives to create a legacy of leadership and learning in each and every scholar. We look forward to exciting things in the 24-25 academic year!”
Taylor, who was scheduled to begin his position at Wayne Prep on June 17, was chosen after what Wayne Prep described as an “exhaustive search,” by its board of directors. No reason was given by the school for Taylor’s inability to move forward as Executive Director.
Taylor has more than 30 years of education experience – nearly all with Wayne County Public Schools, including 14 as Superintendent.
Most recently Taylor served as Interim Headmaster at Wayne Country Day School, helping to lead the school through its COVID experience.
