Brad Sneeden begins duties as new superintendent Brad Sneeden began the duties of Carteret County Public School System Superintendent July 1. He fills the position left vacant when former superintendent Dr. David Lenker retired June 30. Dr. Lenker is retiring after working in the field of education for 32 years. He has served as Carteret County Public School System’s Superintendent since January 1995.

Mr. Sneeden previously served as the Associate Vice President for Leadership Development for the Center for School Leadership at the University of North Carolina and also serves as the Director for the Principals’ Executive Program. He joined the staff there in August 2003.

“I feel extremely honored and humbled to be selected as superintendent of the Carteret County Public School System,” Mr. Sneeden said. “I don’t take my selection lightly because I know this was a much sought after position. I had the opportunity in my role as Deputy State Superintendent to visit just about every school system in the state, and I know Carteret County is the plum of school systems. This is a progressive system in its own way and one that has shown continuous improvement.”

Mr. Sneeden noted many positives about the Carteret County Public School System, including a relatively low teacher and staff turn over rate that he believes indicates job satisfaction and the academic achievements of students. He also stressed the importance of the consistent leadership by the superintendent, assistant superintendents, principals, administrators and Board of Education members.

“This is a great opportunity and I’m ready to give it everything I have,” Mr. Sneeden said. “I enjoy being effective and working with people. Teamwork is important. I also enjoy bringing out the best in people and aligning jobs and responsibilities to the strengths of employees. I consider myself a facilitator and an interactive kind of leader.

“It takes everyone in a school system to do the very best they can to move the system forward,” Mr. Sneeden continued. “I am committed to ensuring an environment exists that allows employees to be candid and talk about what is working and what is not working. When people feel safe in an open and professional environment, we can all move forward. Developing that trust is key to that progress. I believe in encouraging employees to voice their opinions and to be part of the progress.”

“Dr. Lenker has provided high quality leadership and I am pleased to be able to follow that kind of leadership,” Mr. Sneeden added.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Sneeden worked as the Deputy State Superintendent for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education from July 1998 to August 2003. From 1996-1998 he worked as an adjunct professor with the Department of Educational Leadership and as the Director of the Office of School Services at East Carolina University.

From 1990-1996 Mr. Sneeden was superintendent of the Craven County Public School System, and from 1988-1990 he was the system’s associate superintendent for personnel services. He worked as the personnel director for Hatteras Yachts, New Bern, from 1985-1988.

Mr. Sneeden was principal of Brinson Memorial Elementary School from 1981-1985 and served as the school’s assistant principal from 1977-1981. During that same period he taught evening biology classes at Craven Community College.

From 1975-1977 Mr. Sneeden worked as a teacher at Jasper School and at Arthur Edwards Elementary School, both in Craven County. He completed his student teaching in Craven County.

Mr. Sneeden was born in Wilmington and grew up in New Bern where he graduated from New Bern High School. He then attended a special East Carolina University program offered through Craven Community College and then transferred to ECU’s Greenville campus where he received a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education with a minor in biology. He also holds a master’s degree in school administration and an educational specialist II major in administration and minor in supervision.

Mr. Sneeden is currently a doctoral candidate pursuing a degree in educational leadership with a minor in technology.         

“I believe Carteret County will be a great place to work and live,” Mr. Sneeden said. “I am an eastern North Carolina person and a water person. I’ve spent approximately 10 years in the Raleigh/Chapel Hill area and this will definitely be like coming back home.” Mr. Sneeden’s mother and brother and his mother and father-in-law continue to live in New Bern.

Mr. Sneeden’s wife, Carolyn, works with the NC Department of Public Instruction as a teacher recruiter. She previously taught second grade for 25 years. The couple plans to move to Carteret County. Mr. and Mrs. Sneeden have two children. Olivia is a senior at Meredith College and Bradford graduated from NC State University and is preparing to enter dental school.

Mr. Sneeden has received numerous recognition and awards throughout his career, including Teacher of the Year and Administrator of the Year in Craven County, Employee of the Year for Hatteras Yachts, Superintendent of the Year by two North Carolina educational organizations, and the James Batten Outstanding Educator from East Carolina University. In 2003, Governor Easley awarded Mr. Sneeden the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a citizen of North Carolina.

Mr. Sneeden is a nationally certified trainer in Interaction Associates’, Facilitative Leadership and Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He has also served on the board of directors for the National Malcolm Baldrige Association.