Today, Dr. Cathy Gantz will retire after 5 years serving as principal of Thomas Academy -- marking 50 years working in education. Friends from across Boys & Girls Homes as well as Thomas Academy and both BGHNC and TA boards attended her reception in the Thomas Academy library.
The current BGHNC Chief of Campus-Based Services Glen Locklear -- who has many years of prior experience as a principal in New Hanover County Schools -- will become the Interim Principal while the organization recruits and begins the hiring process for the school's next principal. Donna Moody will continue serving as Assistant Principal.
The announcement released from President of Boys & Girls Homes Marc Murphy said: "After 45 years of teaching in North Carolina and Maryland school systems, Dr. Gantz joined us during the 2021/2022 school year and helped Thomas Academy navigate the challenges of post-COVID education, chronic absenteeism of community students, challenging behaviors with children who have experienced trauma, and wrapped up the most current school year overseeing the expansion to add grades 3-5 so that all children living on the Boys & Girls Homes of NC campus could attend Thomas Academy and benefit from our small classroom sizes and remain in the same school with their older siblings. During Dr. Gantz's tenure she also completed the process of two charter renewal cycles which collectively renewed Thomas Academy for a total of 10 years."
We sincerely thank Dr. Gantz for her many years of service to education and to the children of Thomas Academy and wish her the happiest of retirements!
