At the June meeting, the Caroline County Board of Education approved the recommendation of J. Kirk Howie as Director of Student Services, effective July 1, 2024.
Superintendent Derek Simmons explained that changes occurring in the coming school year will impact Student Services, particularly with the number of CCPS Community Schools increasing from three to eight. Given the significant support needed, funding will be reallocated to return a director position to the team in order to provide leadership in the Student Services department. Dr. Simmons also clarified that the three administrative appointments on the June agenda are all position-neutral and the result of reorganizing existing positions.
Dr. Simmons shared that the interview team met with several very qualified candidates. However, Mr. Howie’s lengthy experience as Director of Student Services in a neighboring county made him stand out as a natural fit for Caroline. “He’ll be the leader who will solidify this team,” Dr. Simmons said, “and really build upon the student-centered focus that exists now.” He added that Mr. Howie has strong connections in Caroline and also across Mid-Shore.
President Barton noted that it was wonderful to see Dr. Simmons continuing to build a team that is strong and cooperative, and who work well with each other and the community, and Mr. Howie’s appointment would continue that momentum.
Mr. Howie has been the Director of Student Services for Dorchester County Public Schools since 2020. He began his career in education in Florida in 2004 before moving to Maryland in 2010. Since that time, he has held assistant principal and principal positions in both Dorchester and Talbot Counties, and was also an Adjunct Professor at Salisbury University from 2015-2017.
Mr. Howie earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Florida, and has a Doctorate from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) where he was awarded UMES Department of Education Hazel Scholarship for Outstanding Graduate Student.