William Sutton

What is your number one concern for this school year?

The top priority for Jones County Schools is student safety. Every day, we want students to feel secure and supported, so they can focus on learning, expressing themselves, and developing their abilities. By proactively addressing potential threats, we aim to create a safe, enriching environment where students can thrive without worry. We’re dedicated to serving our students, families, community leaders, and everyone invested in Jones County Schools by providing the safest and most rewarding educational experience possible.

Can you elaborate a bit more on what it means to keep the district safe?

We have a strong partnership with local emergency services, staying in close contact with EMS, fire departments, and others to ensure quick responses when needed. With our emergency management app, we’re just a click away from emergency support, enhancing student safety.

Our new K-12 school in Trenton, NC, features extensive window visibility, so we’re adding window tint and safety film to protect students while preserving the school’s aesthetic. Our IT team also provides continuous safety oversight, and each school has an engaged school resource officer (SRO), thanks to the support of Sheriff Wyman and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office. When students see a police car on campus, they know they’re protected.

Where do you see the role of technology in education?

AI is going to be a big part of education’s future, not to replace the critical thinking and problem-solving skills students learn in school, but to support them. Schools need to keep moving forward, and AI is one way to do that.

It’s also going to boost safety by helping with things like gun detection and facial recognition, so we can respond faster to potential threats. When students know there are layers of protection in place, they feel safer and can focus on learning, not on worrying about outside risks—which, let’s face it, is a big deal these days.

How does the district cultivate an environment that supports mental health?

In Jones County Schools, we support students’ mental health and well-being through CTE courses in counseling, mental health, and child development. Our EC director does an excellent job connecting students with needed resources, partnering with various local agencies to address issues like low income, teenage pregnancy, and other challenges. We focus on fostering positive attitudes toward learning, so students feel supported and look forward to school. Our counselors, EC team, and community partners work together to provide tailored support, ensuring students receive specialized resources that help them thrive.

How does the district go about cultivating an environment that supports mental health for the staff as well?

The biggest support for staff mental health comes from providing resources and clear protocols. Teachers feel more confident knowing exactly what to do in various situations, whether it’s related to safety or discipline, and this structure boosts morale and mental well-being. In schools, where morale often outweighs pay as a motivator, it’s crucial that teachers feel supported by administration, mental health teams, and even local agencies like the Sheriff’s Office and EMS. When everyone is committed to staff success, it creates a positive, supportive environment that benefits teachers’ mental health.

What is your vision for the district in the next five years?

Our vision is to lead in school safety by integrating top-of-the-line technology, making Jones County Schools among the safest in North Carolina. We want to set the standard in proactive security, not just follow. We’re committed to protecting students by collaborating with all stakeholders to create a secure, supportive community. This means investing in advanced tools like AI for early threat detection, from license plate recognition to AI gun detection, so that any potential risks are identified before they reach our campuses. We aim to maximize safety while being responsible stewards of taxpayer funds.