News

John Bryant named new schools superintedent

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 8, 2020

The Henderson County School Board's national search for a new schools superintendent has ended in its backyard for the third time running.

The School Board unanimously and enthusiastically during its regular meeting on Tuesday chose John M. Bryant II to the lead school system. He replaces Bo Caldwell, who had served since March of 2016. Caldwell was elevated to the top job with the retirement of David Jones, who like Caldwell had been second in command when he succeeded Stephen Page.

Caldwell named Bryant, 43, associate superintendent of administrative services, soon after he assumed the top job. Bryant served as senior director for human resources for two years and was previously principal at Glenn C. Marlow  and a high school English teacher.

Each School Board in turn member praised the decision.

"I think this is one of the most excellent things I've ever done since being on the Board of Education," Michael Absher said. "I have been truly excited to have you taking the next reins. I grew up with Bo and now I'm growing up with and it can't get any better than that."

"Nothing thrills me more than to have Dr. Bryant follow in the path of Mr. Caldwell," said Amy Lynn Holt.

"We know he's hard working, he's known in the school system and known in the community," said Dot Case. "One of the things that's impressed me is his follow up. I don't think I've ever asked him a question that he did not follow up  on."

"It is just an honor that we can hire one fantastic superintendent after another fantastic superintendent," Mary Louise Corn said.

"It's really an honor to be part of a board to hire Dr. Bryant," said Vice Chairman Rick Wood. "In 12 years I have had the privilege of being a member of the board that hired three superintendents, and like Chairman Craven said that one of our most important responsibilities of the School Board, to hire the right people to manage, to be the CEO of our school system. And those three we all hired from within. We're raising good people, training them, bringing them up through the school system, first David Jones, then Bo Caldwell and now John Bryant. They all started as teachers in Henderson County, assistant principals, principals, central office and now superintendent."

Craven praised Bryant for "how hard you work, how diligent you are and much you care about this organization and the people and the kids that are in it."

"I'm really looking forward to you taking us into your direction and building the school system how you see it needs to go. This is an absolutely honest for me. I thought Hendersonville High School and finishing that project was going to be the top of my list.  But definitely hiring a superintendent to follow Bo's leadership is equally as thrilling."

Bryant invited his wife, Lisa, to join him when he thanked the board for its decision.

"This is literally the honor of my life to be able to stand with the woman that makes this possible to continue to serve this community," he said. "How grateful I am to the Board of Education and the men and women and children that have made this possible for me. I have had two of the most extraordinary mentors, Mr. Caldwell and Mr. Jones, who have raised me as  a leader and brought me under their wings, opened their doors and shared with me their love and compassion for this community. ... Thank you for giving me the opportunity."

After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Elon University in 1999, Bryant taught English for four years at Southern Alamance High School in Graham and then in Florida at Apopka High School from 2003 to 2006. In 2006, Bryant started with the Henderson County school system, teaching English at East Henderson High School. He went on to serve as assistant principal and athletic director at East, from 2007 to 2011. He served as principal at Glenn C. Marlow Elementary School from 2011-2014, before a promotion to Central Office in 2014 as senior director of human resources.

Bryant’s superintendency begins Dec. 1, following Caldwell’s retirement on Nov. 30.

“I believe the single most important job of a member of the Board of Education is that of hiring the superintendent. I cannot think of a better person to lead us into the future than Dr. John Bryant,” Craven said in a statement. “He is a well-known treasure in our community and we are thrilled that he will bring his vision and energy to the superintendent position for Henderson County public schools.”

An advocate for public education in the community and statewide, Bryant is a member of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, Personnel Administrators of North Carolina, School Superintendents Association, North Carolina High School Athletics Association, Kappa Delti Pi education honor society and Sigma Tau Delta international English honor society.

He is active in civic affairs as well. He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Pardee Hospital, the Board of Directors for the YMCA of WNC, the Executive Board of the United Way of Henderson County and the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Committee.

He holds a masters in school administration from Gardner Webb University and an EdD in Educational Leadership from Western Carolina University. He and his wife, Lisa K. Bryant, the producing artistic director at Flat Rock Playhouse, live in Laurel Park.

He had been on a track to become a superintendent for some time. He was honored last year with the 2019 Dr. Sam Houston Leadership Award in the Aspiring Superintendent Program. The annual award is presented to a graduate of the North Carolina School Superintendents Association Aspiring Superintendent Program, which trains administrators for North Carolina’s public schools.


“Dr. Bryant has a commitment to continuous improvement, high standards of ethical conduct, strategic planning, improving student performance and meeting the needs of the 21st century workforce,” Jack Hoke, executive director of the North Carolina School Superintendents Association, said at the time. The NCSSA and the North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development announced the award earlier this month.
“John Bryant exemplifies all that is great in an educator today,” Caldwell said then. “As superintendent, I know no educator more committed and dedicated to each member of the Henderson County Public School community. Dr. Bryant’s delightful personality and genuine kindness touch the lives of each and every person who has been a part of his. Dr. Bryant’s leadership skills and educational expertise are invaluable resources to our system.”