Christopher Barnes appointed as New Hanover County Schools interim superintendent

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Schools have announced who will be the district’s interim superintendent as the search for a permanent superintendent continues. 

On Thursday, the school board announced that the current acting superintendent, Dr. Christopher Barnes will take over the role in an interim capacity.  

The board appointed Barnes after firing former Superintendent Charles Foust last month. Barnes was unanimously selected after the board interviewed seven candidates over two weeks.  

As he transitions into his interim role Barnes said he hopes to return the district to its core values of helping students and teachers. 

“We have a lot of work to do in getting schools open, we have a lot to focus on in listening to our staff and making the school district better,” Barnes said. “This is a time for us to come back to our center and come back to the root of what we do, which is teaching children.” 

Barnes added that for the last month, he’s been gathering feedback from multiple schools and departments with the goal of reaching 3200 people who work for the district.  

He said he will share those findings with the board and the public.