This past weekend Hoke Media Group got a tip that Hoke County Schools posted a Meeting Notice on their web site reading, **The Board will meet in a special meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 4:00 at the Digital Learning Center, 315 N. Bethel Road in Raeford, NC, in both open and closed session, to discuss various personnel matters, including the superintendent’s contract.  see link>HERE

This evening, we were sent a News Release from Director of Public Relations Meredith Bounds with the following statement;

After more than 27 years of service to public education, all with Hoke County Schools, Superintendent Dr. Debra Dowless announced her resignation Monday afternoon to pursue a new educational opportunity. Her resignation was accepted by the Board during a special called meeting on Monday, February 13, 2023. The Board of Education publicly thanks Superintendent Dowless for her dedication and hard work on behalf of the District’s students, staff and families, and her more than 27 years of service to Hoke County Schools.

“I am extremely grateful to the Hoke County School System for all of the wonderful opportunities it has provided me and for all of the leaders who supported and mentored me along the way,” Dowless expressed.

During the called Board meeting, members of the Hoke County Schools Board of Education went into closed session and when they returned to opened session announced they have accepted Dr. Dowless resignation and have appointed Dr. Shannon Register, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum 6-13, as Interim Superintendent. The Board of Education will begin the process of selecting a new superintendent of schools immediately.