Following the recommendation of Cumberland County Schools (CCS) Superintendent Dr. Marvin Connelly, Jr., the Cumberland County Board of Education approved two new principals during Tuesday evening's Board meeting.
Constance Thomas, who currently serves as the assistant principal at William H. Owen Elementary School, will be the new principal of J.W. Coon Elementary. Thomas began working with CCS in 2013 as a kindergarten teacher at Westarea Elementary School. She received a master's degree in School Administration from Fayetteville State University in 2021. Thomas has 15 years of educational experience.
J.W. Coon Elementary School Principal Constance Thomas
Jernise Flood Rucker, who currently serves as the assistant principal at Westarea Elementary School, will be the new principal of Cumberland Road Elementary. Rucker began working with CCS in 2018 as an instructional coach at Westarea Elementary School. She received two master's degrees: Reading Education K-12 from Fayetteville State University (2012) and School Administration from UNC Pembroke (2019). Rucker is currently working to complete her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2026. She has more than 15 years of experience in education.
Cumberland Road Elementary School Principal Jernise Flood Rucker