WINDSOR – Calvin Moore is making the shift from the sidelines to the administrative office suite.

The veteran basketball and football coach was named Principal of Bertie High School Monday night following a closed session of the Bertie County Board of Education.

Moore will replace Principals Rickey Eley and Sharon Bond effective July 1. Eley and Bond were named, along with the now retired Bill Hawkins, as Principals of the school to begin the 2006-2007 academic year.

Moore is currently a science teacher at Bertie High School and has a proven track record in the classroom. He is also in service with the National Guard, something that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chip Zullinger believes will be an asset.

“I think this is a real cool appointment,” Dr. Zullinger said. “He’s been a great teacher and a great coach. He has the immediate respect of kids and adults alike.

“Coach Moore has shown great passion and vision for how he thinks things can be,” the superintendent add. “He is also an excellent disciplinarian and when you added his military training and leadership to the equation, I think he will do a tremendous job for us.”

Moore’s lack of administrative experience (he has never been an assistant principal or principal) is not a concern for the superintendent.

“In my experience as a superintendent, I think some of the best administrators are plucked right out of the classroom,” Dr. Zullinger said. “They remember precisely what it’s like to be a teacher.”

Eley will be moving to Central Office, where he will assume the duties of Director of Maintenance and Transportation. He has served as teacher, athletic administrator, assistant principal and principal before being promoted to his new post. All of those jobs make him ready for his new post, according to Dr. Zullinger.

“Mr. Eley has been a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Bertie County and has invested a lot of time here,” he said. “He is a young, aggressive administrator who has a background in vocational education and any high school principal has a background in transportation.”

Eley replaces Kenneth Perry, who will take over the reins of Assistant Superintendent of Schools effective July 1. Perry replaces Thomas Ruffin, who is retiring.

Perry will be the second in command of the entire district, according to Dr. Zullinger. Perry’s background and dedication to his home district played a role in his selection.

“Mr. Perry is from Bertie County. He and his family are from the Colerain area and have been for forever,” the superintendent explained. “I think one thing that has hurt us is the instability of administrators and even teachers. His knowledge of Bertie County and people knowing him will be an asset to me.”

Perry has served as a teacher, assistant principal and director in the county.

Two other administrative changes were made at the end of Monday’s meeting.

Wayne Mayo, currently the beginning teacher’s and curriculum coordinator for math, science, media and music, will return to school-level administration as Principal of West Bertie Elementary School. Mayo has previously served as Principal of the former G.G. White Middle School and Bertie High School.

Mayo takes over for Renee Duckenfield. She has been transferred to Windsor Elementary School as Principal. Duckenfield replaces Orlando Dobbin.

William Peele III was also named Principal of the Bertie Academy 9th Grade Center.

Assignments were not announced for Bond nor Dobbin, though a press release from Bertie County Schools indicated other administrative assignments could be made at a later time.

Dr. Zullinger said he believed open administrative posts in the district, including the need for a principal at the new Early College High School, would be filled with those currently unassigned.

“With the administrators that remain unassigned, we have several tasks that will probably use those people,” he said.

The superintendent also said that by transferring people within the district, the school system would realize a savings of between $300,000-$400,000 next year.

“I inherited a system that had more administrators than the state recommended,” he said. “We have worked to get back in line with state levels and save the local funding we are spending on those positions.”

He said the district would likely be down to just four positions over the state recommended allotment after the transfers and reassignments were complete.