Kannapolis City Schools Names Dr. Sara Newell as New Superintendent

Kannapolis, NC – Kannapolis City Schools is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Sara Newell as the district’s next superintendent, effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Newell brings over two decades of dedicated service to Kannapolis City Schools, marked by strong leadership, instructional excellence, and a proven track record of student-focused innovation.

Dr. Newell currently serves as Principal of A.L. Brown High School, where she has championed initiatives that support academic growth, student opportunity, and meaningful community engagement. Her work has helped strengthen instructional practices and expand programs in college advising, the arts, and extracurricular enrichment.

A lifelong advocate for education, Dr. Newell began her career in Kannapolis as a classroom teacher and has since served in a variety of leadership roles, including AIG Coordinator and Assistant Principal. She is also an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb University, where she teaches and mentors doctoral candidates in educational leadership and curriculum design.

Dr. Newell is the current Kannapolis City Schools Principal of the Year, and her commitment to educational excellence has been consistently recognized throughout her career. She was a finalist for the North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented Teacher of the Year in 2016, the Kannapolis City Schools District Teacher of the Year Runner-Up in 2015, and Kannapolis Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2008. These honors reflect her long-standing dedication to student success and her outstanding leadership at every level of the district.

"Dr. Newell is a visionary leader who brings both the heart and experience needed to guide our schools forward," said Todd Adams, Chair of the Kannapolis City Board of Education. "She understands our community, our students, and our mission—and we are confident that under her leadership, Kannapolis City Schools will continue to thrive."

Dr. Newell lives in Kannapolis with her husband, Jimmy,  and is actively involved in local service organizations. She has led numerous district-wide initiatives and is known for her belief that "students should be at the heart of all educational decisions."

“I am honored and humbled to serve the community that has given me so much,” said Dr. Newell. “Together, we will continue to build a school system where every child has the opportunity to succeed, be seen, and be loved.”

The Kannapolis City Board of Education began its search for its next superintendent in January 2025. There was strong interest in the position, and after careful consideration and deliberation, Dr. Newell was selected by the Board from a large, competitive pool of applicants. The Board appreciates all members of the Kannapolis City Schools community for participating in the Superintendent Survey and sharing their vision for the next leader of Kannapolis City Schools.