Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki has announced the following personnel appointments, which were approved by our Board of Education on Monday, November 10th.

Rebecca Phillips, principal at Harold E. Winkler Middle School, has been named principal at Hickory Ridge Elementary School, replacing Krina Patel, who recently transferred to the same position at Harris Road Middle School. Rebecca will begin her new role at Hickory Ridge Elementary on January 1, 2026.

Rebecca began her career in Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) in 2007 as a classroom teacher at Coltrane-Webb STEM Elementary School.  She joined the Winkler leadership team as an assistant principal in 2015 after completing her internship at the school and has held her current position since 2021.

Rebecca earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from UNCC.

Jessica Blanchard, principal at R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary School, has been named principal at Harold E. Winkler Middle School, replacing Rebecca Phillips, who will transfer to the same position at Hickory Ridge Elementary School. She will begin her new role at H.E. Winkler Middle on January 1, 2026.  Dr. Jim Williams, who is currently serving as the interim principal at Hickory Ridge Elementary, will transfer to the same role at R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary.

Jessica, a Central Cabarrus graduate, has served as the principal at R. Brown McAllister since 2020. She previously worked as an administrator and teacher in the Union County Public School system.

Jessica earned her bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and reading education from Wingate University. She also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Winthrop University.

Carrie Swanson, exceptional children's coordinator for CCS, has been named Assistant Director of Exceptional Children's Programs.  She will begin her new role with the district on December 1, 2025.

Carrie has been with CCS since 2014 where she began as an exceptional children's teacher and department chair at C.C. Griffin STEM Middle School.  In 2020, she transferred to Concord Middle School as an instructional coach and has been in her current position with the district since 2022.

Carrie earned her bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and her master's degree from Liberty University.

Congratulations Rebecca, Jessica, and Carrie on your new roles within the district.