Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services

A veteran educator, Dr. Melody Chalmers McClain was named the Associate Superintendent of Student Support Services in June of 2022. From 2018 until 2022, Dr. Chalmers McClain served as Assistant Superintendent of Transformation and Strategic Initiatives, fervently supporting the district’s schools and administrators. Additionally, she has 14 years of experience as a school administrator.

Dr. Chalmers McClain’s commitment to advancing education is evident through her previous and current memberships in organizations such as the North Carolina Principal’s Advisory Council, the NC Association of Principals and Assistant Principals Board of Directors, and the Governor’s Commission on Access to a Sound Basic Education.

Dr. Chalmers McClain joined CCS in 1998 and obtained her master’s degree in school administration from Fayetteville State University in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from North Carolina A&T State University. She is currently working toward a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University.

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2423
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Associate Superintendent of Auxiliary Services

Kevin Coleman was named the Associate Superintendent of Auxiliary Services in June of 2022. Coleman’s career with CCS started in 1997 when he began teaching at Rockfish Elementary School. In 2005, while serving as an assistant principal at Bill Hefner Elementary School, he obtained his master’s degree in school administration from Fayetteville State University.

Coleman advanced as a school administrator before becoming the district’s Executive Director of Technology in 2010. When the COVID-19 Pandemic presented the challenge of virtual and remote learning, Coleman led his team in implementing the 1:1 Program to support student and teacher success.

Throughout his career, Coleman has served on multiple committees and professional organizations. He currently serves on the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Digital Learning Competencies District Team and Lenovo’s K-12 Education Advisory Council. Coleman earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education in 1997 from East Carolina University. 

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2305

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Associate Superintendent of School Support

Dr. Jane Fields was named the associate superintendent of school support in June of 2022, although she has a lifetime of experience with CCS. A product of the district, Fields began working for CCS as a social studies teacher in 1996. Since then, she has served in multiple positions, advancing into leadership roles including principal of Pine Forest High School. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Superintendent of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction and Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education.

As a principal, Fields maintained an intense focus on instructional leadership and creating student-centered learning environments. She also led the implementation of the IMPACT V Grant, which emphasized transformative leadership practices, action-planning and coaching.

After obtaining her master’s degree in school administration from East Carolina University, Dr. Fields earned an Education Specialist Degree in 2013 and a doctorate in educational leadership in 2016 from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2495

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Chief Academic Officer

Dr. Mellotta Hill was named Chief Academic Officer in March of 2023. Dr. Hill has 31 years of experience. The veteran educator began her career in 1993 as a fourth-grade teacher with Pitt County Schools. Afterward, Dr. Hill moved to CCS and taught at Ferguson-Easley Elementary School. Since then, she has worked in numerous capacities throughout the county, including the following: a North Carolina Principal Fellows Intern, an assistant principal, a principal, an executive director and assistant superintendent of CCS' K-12 Instructional Programs.

Dr. Hill was recognized as Principal of the Year for Cumberland County Schools in 2013-2014 and she has served as an adjunct professor at Fayetteville State University. Dr. Hill has completed several leadership programs, which include the North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship Programs, Principals Executive Program and Aspiring Superintendents.

Dr. Hill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University, a Master of School Administration Degree and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, both from Fayetteville State University.

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2407

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Associate Superintendent of Human Resources

Ruben Reyes currently serves as the associate superintendent for human resources. From 2006 until 2015, Reyes served as CCS’ executive director of exceptional children’s services. He has also served as lead psychologist for CCS’ Psychological Services.

Reyes graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology degree and received a master’s degree from Western Carolina University.

Reyes has received many accolades, including being a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and serving as the NCATE Student Diversity Chairman. He served on the North Carolina EC Director’s Advisory Council for five years and currently serves on the N.C. DPI Compliance Commission.

In 2014, the Fayetteville Observer named him on their 40 under 40 list. He received the 2009-2010 Matthew Joel Hastings Outstanding Administrator of Special Education and the N.C. CEC Felix S. Barker Award.

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2310

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Board Attorney

Nick Sojka joined Cumberland County Schools in 2018 as the Board of Education attorney. Sojka previously worked as an education law attorney in private practice for over 20 years, serving as board attorney for a number of Cape Fear region public school systems and representing others throughout Eastern North Carolina in specialized matters.
  
A native of Durham, Sojka received his bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. 

In 2009-2010, Sojka served as the chair of the N.C. Council of School Attorneys. In 2017, he received the Marvin R. Pittman Champions for Education Award presented by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. He served as a member of the
Governor’s Commission on Access to Sound Basic Education from 2018 until 2024. Since 2020, he has served as the North Carolina Commissioner for the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission.

Sojka has frequently presented education law topics to state, regional and local groups, and has served as a guest lecturer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fayetteville State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Methodist University.

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2310

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Associate Superintendent of Business Operations

Jay Toland joined Cumberland County Schools in June of 2022 as the Associate Superintendent of Business Operations. Most recently, Toland served the local community as a City of Fayetteville Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Toland consistently delivered a clean comprehensive annual financial report. Additionally, he closed $250 million in debt financing and increased interest revenue by 60 percent.

Toland earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2007 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2002. He has worked in the Sandhills area since 2001.

Toland has experience with local school districts. He served on the Hoke County Board of Education as an assistant finance officer and the Scotland County Board of Education as the chief financial officer.

A Certified Managerial Accountant, Toland holds multiple certifications and has published articles in trade publications. He published a book in 2016, "Public School Finance Decoded" and is a past president of the North Carolina Association of School Business Officials. 

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2310

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Associate Superintendent of Communications and Community Engagement

Dr. Lindsay Whitley, the associate superintendent of Communications and Community Engagement, joined Cumberland County Schools in 2018. He serves as the chief communication strategist for the school system. Dr. Whitley is responsible for overseeing external and internal communications generated on behalf of the school system in the areas of public and media relations, internal and external communications, marketing, customer service, community engagement, print and graphic design, video production, website management, and social media.

Prior to working for CCS, Dr. Whitley served for five years as the director of Guilford Parent Academy (GPA) for Guilford County Schools. GPA provides information and training on a variety of topics for parents, grandparents and family members caring for children and young people in Guilford County. Through innovative approaches and best practices, Dr. Whitley led the effort to increase family engagement in Guilford County Schools.

A national award-winning public relations practitioner, Dr. Whitley has presented at conferences and seminars across the country, sharing information on effective family and community engagement, communications, and public relations practices. He has also served as the author and co-author of several journal articles on family and community engagement.

Dr. Whitley holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication Studies and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. He also received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from High Point University in High Point, NC.

2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville NC 28306
Phone: 910-678-2310

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