Chad O. Thomas

Strategic educational leader with experience as Principal across elementary, middle, and high school levels. Led team building initiatives and managed financial resources to support school improvement. Focused on enhancing student outcomes through innovative planning and effective communication.

• Achieved +12.87 (18-19), +10.22 (21-22), and +10.23 (22-23) EVAAS Growth Index Scores which ranked Bailey Middle in the Top 20 schools for academic growth in N.C.
• Improved graduation rate at Northwest Cabarrus High School to 97.3%, which was the highest ever at NCHS and highest in Cabarrus County Schools for 2024-2025.
• Guided Northwest Cabarrus High School to earn North Carolina STEM School of Distinction designation in September 2025.
• Moved Bailey Middle School from 67.8% to 87% proficiency, accumulated +60 points of cumulative EVAAS growth, and recognized as a N.C. 'A Rated' School (2013-2021).
• Led four different schools to improve academic proficiency, as well as meeting or exceeding expected academic growth goals for 20 straight years (2004-25).
• Served as a mentor for CMS New Principals and Principal Interns from Queens University, UNCC, and Winthrop University (2006-2024).
• Consistently rated in the Accomplished or Distinguished range on the North Carolina Principal Evaluation Instrument (2009-2024).
• Guided 'Leader In Me' Process at Bailey Middle School to achieve Lighthouse School Recognition in Spring 2020 and renewed in 2022 and 2024 (2014-2024).
• Proven ability to recruit, select, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff as indicated in evaluations, Insight surveys, and staff retention data (2005-2024).
• Twenty consecutive years of outstanding fiscal management with five total exceptions on all financial audits, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (2005-2023).
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Superintendents Principal Leadership Advisory Team (2011-2013, 2015-2017, 2019, and 2020).
• Facilitated all aspects of the second largest comprehensive middle school in North Carolina serving between 1640-1750 students (2014-2020).
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Principal of the Year Finalist (2009-10 and 2017-18).
• Selected as one of ten CMS Principals to participate in the Wallace Foundation Collaborative Cohort I & II to create administrative training protocols (2014-2017).
• Selected as the North Carolina PTA Principal of the Year (2013-2014).
• CMS Talent Effectiveness Project Team for the Principal Performance Matrix (2010-2012).
• Responsible for leading Long Creek Elementary to become a NC School of Distinction with ABC High Growth status for the first time ever (2010-11).
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Freedom and Flexibility Initiative (2008-11).
• School Quality Reviewer, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (2008-11).
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Technology Advisory Council (2009-11).
• Reopened and supervised the original Long Creek Elementary as a 15 classroom Pre-k site in conjunction with leading the new Long Creek K-5 campus (2009-2010).
• Successfully supervised the construction and complete transition of the New Long Creek Elementary while exceeding academic performance and growth in (2008-09).
• Led Pawtuckett Academy of Excellence (Title I Designation) to NC School of Distinction status with ABC High Growth recognition (2005-06).

• North Carolina School Administration License K-12, 2000
• North Carolina Curriculum Instructional Specialist K-12, 2000
• North Carolina Physical Education K-12, 1995
• Pennsylvania Physical Education and Health K-12, 1995

• More Power: Instruction in Co-Taught Classrooms, Burrello, Leonard, C., 2010, Hosted by Dr. Marilyn Friend. Elephant Rock Productions.
• Planning for Instruction: A guide, Queen, J. A., Burrell J., & McManus, S., 2000, Columbus, OH: Merrill/Prentice Hall.

• Dr. Matt Hayes, Retired Deputy Superintendent of Academics, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
• Dr. Dawn Robinson, Retired Regional Superintendent, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
• Dr. Scott R. Muri, Superintendent, Ector County ISD, Odessa, TX
• Hugh Hattabaugh, Retired CMS Chief Operating Officer/Interim Superintendent