Elliott was one of four finalists interviewed for the position left vacant with the departure of Mike Murray. 

“We are blessed to have Dr. Elliott serving at the helm of the Jackson County Public Schools. The school board conducted a thorough search and ultimately realized that the experience, talent and vision we need from a superintendent was already sitting in that chair serving as the interim superintendent,” said Board Chairman Ken Henke. “We look forward to working with her to advance the good work being done in the Jackson County Public Schools.”

Elliott is completing her fifth year with the Jackson County Public Schools. She has served as assistant superintendent, associate superintendent and most recently as the interim superintendent. She has been a public school administrator in North Carolina since 1999.

Elliott has a long history of partnership development, strategic planning, grant management, fiscal management, program evaluation and most importantly teaching and learning. She is focused on student success and educational interventions partnered with professional learning communities. She is relationship-driven and believes strongly in the use of collaboration with families and communities to create school systems of excellence. 

“As superintendent, I intend to foster, support and challenge our educators to surpass recent milestones and to ensure that the best interest of every student is our guiding principle in decision-making,” Elliott said. “I want to thank the Board of Education for their confidence in me and I am humbled to serve the staff, students and families as the superintendent of the Jackson County Public Schools.”

Elliott’s appointment was effective Feb. 2 and her initial contract is for a four-year term.