NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. — At its regular July meeting on Tuesday night, the New Hanover County Schools Board of Education voted 5-0 to terminate Charles Foust as superintendent.
The decision came after reviewing a district climate survey where teachers expressed their concern with the entire board.
That survey found morale at an all-time low, with almost three-quarters of teachers unhappy with the district's leadership and about 80% said the school board was "out of touch."
Foust’s contract states that the board may terminate him but will have to pay him his salary of $225,000 for the year.
Chris Barnes, the assistant superintendent of human resources, was immediately named acting superintendent in his place.
Foust took over as superintendent in 2020 after the previous superintendent resigned, accused of covering up sexual abuse and scandals in the district. The school board renewed Foust's contract in 2023.
