By Sean Umstead
Carrboro Commons Writer

The inaugural year of Carrboro High School is nearing an end, but the work has just begun for Principal Jeffrey Thomas. He knew it was a big undertaking to start a new school, but when he looks back at its first year, he has an entirely different perspective.

Carrboro High School Principal Jeff Thomas has led the school through the challenges of its inaugural year.
Staff photo by Sean Umstead

“Being a high school principal is a monumental task … and opening a new school was a bigger job than I ever envisioned it to be,” Thomas said.

Guiding growth

Thomas, who spent six years as a vice principal of Chapel Hill High School, said he looked forward to his role as principal of a new school.

“I have an opportunity to shape and form the culture,” Thomas said. “Based on many factors; the personnel I hire, the programs we institute, down to the choice in furniture.”

Thomas said he wants to be a positive role model and leader for students and teachers. He said it is important that the school have an atmosphere of support, even if problems arise.

Thomas said he tries to be available to everyone, especially the students.

“I’ll give them my time and listen to those who had a hard time adjusting —primarily juniors — because they’re used to being in a big school like Chapel Hill High,” Thomas said. “They see this more as middle school because it’s smaller. They don’t see the freedom that they had there.”

Creating a stronger school

Thomas said part of the learning curve for a first-year principal involves concentrating on smaller issues to make the school stronger overall.

“Not being allowed to wear hats for the first half of the school year was a big adjustment for them,” Thomas said. “In life you don’t wear hats when you are inside a building to work.”

Thomas, who has spent time in four school districts in the state, said Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is the only district that allows hats during school hours.

“Unless and until the district imposes a district-wide dress code, we are fighting an uphill battle,” Thomas said. “Imposing a rule does not change a culture.”

Adjusting for success

Thomas said he is proud of the leadership roles that students have assumed at the new school. He said the school’s smaller size has given students a chance to find a spot on varsity teams and become more involved.

Thomas said he is also grateful to his staff for the job they have done and their unwillingness to quit despite bumps in the road

“They have done incredibly hard work, and they have hung in there and not quit,” Thomas said.

Challenges still ahead

Thomas said he knows that the challenges for his staff will not stop coming anytime soon.

Next year, Carrboro High School is expecting 804 students, exceeding the building’s capacity in only its second year.

“I’m going to use every nook and cranny that I can find to ensure we meet the needs of our students,” Thomas said. One idea he has is to convert custodial offices into an in-school detention room for more classroom space.

Books are also a concern, and Thomas estimates that new books will cost $125,000 next year. He said if there is still room in the budget, permanent bleachers will be added to the competition field.

Thomas said he hopes he will have more time to work with faculty and students next year.

“(I want to spend) a lot less time in the office and a lot more time building relationships with teachers and students,” Thomas said. “They’ve suffered because of me having to accomplish a lot of things in the office this year.”

The challenges of opening a new school are tremendous, but Thomas finds joy in shaping Carrboro High School into a place that students and staff can enjoy and help grow.

“It is rewarding because I have a fairly big influence and help get people motivated and engaged and focused on a direction we want the school to take,” Thomas said.