The movements in both counties had been going on for years, motivated in part by declining enrollments in Rocky Mounty City Schools, but disagreements focused on district borders.

[3] Since the town of Rocky Mount exists in both counties, there was some delay in the merger finalization as court battles over district boundaries and other issues dominated discussions.

The demographic group makeup was: Black, 57%; White, 34%; Hispanic, 8%; American Indian, 0%; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 0% (two or more races: 2%).

The school system currently resides in the North Carolina State Board of Education's Third District.

His career began as a social studies teacher and athletics coach, later with terms as athletic director, assistant principal, high school principal and associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.