The Thomasville City Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection and election of Dr. Shayla Wiggins Savage as the next superintendent of Thomasville City Schools (TCS). Dr. Savage will assume her duties on or before October 7th.
The Board thoughtfully reviewed applications from a highly qualified and diverse pool of candidates. Although many exceptional leaders applied, the Board determined that Dr. Savage’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to students and staff make her the ideal choice to guide Thomasville City Schools into the future. The Board is confident that Dr. Savage will lead the district to even higher levels of success and innovation.
Dr. Savage has enjoyed a distinguished career in public education spanning more than twenty years in North Carolina. Most recently, since July 2023, she has served as Chief Student Services Officer for Iredell-Statesville Schools in Statesville, North Carolina, where she supervises a department of approximately 120 employees and leads district-wide student services, safety, and discipline initiatives — achievements that include the district’s highest graduation rate in history (91.1%) and significant reductions in chronic absenteeism and discipline referrals. Prior to that role, Dr. Savage served as a School Leadership Coach for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, supporting school leaders across Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Iredell-Statesville, Thomasville City, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools — including direct coaching experience within Thomasville City Schools. Her previous leadership experience includes serving as Principal at Title I middle and elementary schools in Guilford County Schools, Principal in Randolph County Schools, and Assistant Principal in Guilford County Schools.
Dr. Savage’s academic preparation is equally impressive. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, a Master of School Administration from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in K-12 Superintendency from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Dr. Savage looks forward to leading Thomasville City Schools and becoming an active, engaged member of the community. Reflecting on her appointment, Dr. Savage shared, “It’s a great day to be a Bulldog in Thomasville City Schools, where Together Children Succeed.
With a heart full of gratitude, humility, and excitement, I am honored to serve as your superintendent. I am ready to listen, learn, and lead alongside our students, staff, families, and community so every child can succeed.” Dr. Savage is married to her high school sweetheart, Mr. Jeremy Savage, and they have two children, Jeyla and Treylan.
Please join the Board of Education in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Shayla Savage as the new superintendent of Thomasville City Schools.
Download the press release.