Chosen from among 28 candidates; start date is Jan. 1
Katelin Gandee | The Laurinburg Exchange
After being announced as Scotland County Schools Superintendent on Monday night, Takeda LeGrand was welcomed by district principals and staff Tuesday. Principals from each school brought gifts and balloons to welcome LeGrand via a drive-through celebration at the A.B. Gibson building.
LAURINBURG — Takeda LeGrand has been announced as the new superintendent for Scotland County Schools.
The Scotland County Board of Education introduced LeGrand at Monday’s monthly Committee of the Whole Meeting. LeGrand comes to the district from Montgomery County where she has served as associate superintendent for the past seven years. She has also worked in Richmond, Anson and Union counties in various roles including teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant principal, in human resources and she has worked for the Department of Public Instruction in the areas of curriculum and instruction.
“I want to thank you for your confidence and your support,” LeGrand said. “We’re eager to get started and become a part of the community … I am truly excited to serve as your next superintendent of schools. I believe deeply in the whole child, whole school, whole community model. That means we’re going to have to work and do this work together.”
LeGrand was joined by her husband Thomas and daughters Taylor and Trinity at the meeting Monday.
“I look forward to listening and learning so we can begin to lead the district forward,” LeGrand said. “And to make sure we continue to invest in our students so we can continue to grow greatness.”
The board hired the North Carolina School Board Association to help in the search and also to vet the candidates. The NCSBA put together surveys for both the community and staff to see what they wanted to see in a superintendent. LeGrand was selected out of a pool of 28 candidates.
Board members all shared their words of welcome and support for LeGrand.
“From the time I saw your application until we wrapped up that second interview, I felt like you were going to stand out and be a great candidate and a great superintendent for our district,” said Boardmember Summer Woodside.
Vice-Chair Carolyn Banks added that it was LeGrand’s experience that helped make her the choice for the school district.
“We are so happy to have you here in Scotland County,” Banks said. “We love diversity, we love working with different groups of people and when you interviewed that was one of the things that stood out. The fact that you have this experience that can help our community grow.”
The official start date for LeGrand will be Jan. 1.
“We just know there are great things ahead for our school district,” said Chair Rick Singletary. “What we’re offering you as a board is our full support, to come in, evaluate, investigate and make things happen for our district.”
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