Superintendent

Dr. Steve Ellis

Superintendent

sjellis@ncpschools.net

Dr. Steve Ellis began his tenure as Superintendent of Nash County Public Schools on March 1, 2020. Since that time, he has led the district through significant challenges and major milestones while remaining focused on student achievement, staff support, school safety, operational excellence, and strong community partnerships.

Dr. Ellis became Superintendent at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and has provided steady leadership through a period of change for Nash County Public Schools. Under his leadership, the district successfully exited low-performing district status in 2022-2023 after being designated as low-performing each year from 2014-2015 through 2021-2022. Since then, Nash County Public Schools has remained out of low-performing status and has continued to make academic progress.

“I am committed to engaging students, staff, and community members to create a high-performing school district,” Dr. Ellis said. “I will strive for high expectations in our schools in every possible way. This is not a job for me, but a calling.”

During his tenure, Dr. Ellis has championed innovative instructional opportunities, including support for the Advanced Teaching Roles Competitive Grant. In October 2021, Nash County Public Schools was awarded $1.1 million through the grant to incentivize master teachers and expand student access to high-quality instruction. His leadership has supported professional development, teacher capacity-building, and research-based instructional practices throughout the district.

Dr. Ellis has also made school safety a priority. He advocated for and received funding for elementary school School Resource Officers, helping ensure that every NCPS school has an SRO. Each school is also equipped with EVOLV Weapon Detection Screening Systems. In addition, Dr. Ellis has supported mental health and social-emotional learning services for students across the district.

In addition to academic and safety initiatives, Dr. Ellis has guided the district through major facility and operational milestones. During the 2023-2024 school year, Nash County Public Schools was awarded a $40 million needs-based grant to build a new middle school, following the opening of a new elementary school in Fall 2023. The new middle school will help alleviate overcrowding, support growth in the southern area of the county, and provide modern learning spaces for students.

Dr. Ellis has also provided steady leadership during the ongoing demerger process involving two school systems, a complex transition that began in July 2022. Throughout this process, he has remained committed to moving the district forward while working collaboratively with community stakeholders to minimize the impact on students, families, and staff.

In 2026, Dr. Ellis was named the Central Carolina Regional Education Service Alliance Superintendent of the Year. As the CCRESA Superintendent of the Year, he will advance to compete for the A. Craig Phillips North Carolina Superintendent of the Year award alongside regional Superintendents of the Year from across the state.

Prior to joining Nash County Public Schools, Dr. Ellis served as Special Assistant to the Superintendent in Wilson County. He has held a variety of roles in public education, including Executive Director, high school and middle school principal, teacher, coach, and teacher assistant. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Barton College.

Dr. Ellis is actively involved in the broader educational and local community. He serves as the Executive Committee Chair for CCRESA and as the Region 3 Representative for the North Carolina Association of School Administrators Committee. He also serves on the boards for Communities in Schools, the Boys & Girls Club of the Tar River Region, and Down East Partnership for Children.

Dr. Ellis earned a degree in Political Science with a minor in Religion from Barton College. He earned his master’s degree in Administration from East Carolina University and his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Through his leadership, Dr. Ellis continues to work alongside students, staff, families, and community partners to support the mission of Nash County Public Schools: partnering with families, staff, and the community to support every student with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities for lifelong success.

Dr. Steve Ellis is receiving the 2026 CCRESA Superintendent of the Year Award. Visit https://www.ncpschools.net/aboutus/news/news-details/~board/ncps-updates/post/nash-county-public-schools-superintendent-dr-steve-ellis-named-2026-ccresa-superintendent-of-the-year to learn more!