Long-time Woodington principal tapped to lead LCPS Facilities Maintenance Department
By Patrick Holmes
When it came time to name a new director of facilities maintenance, Lenoir County Public Schools had to look no farther than a middle school principal prized for his experience with LCPS, appreciated for his nuts-and-bolts knowledge of school operations and renowned for his get-it-done attitude.
Patrick Phillippe, principal of Woodington Middle School for the past 10 years and a teacher, coach and administrator with LCPS for the past 30, officially moved into the director position July 1. His appointment by the Lenoir County Board of Education in May fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Cecil Outlaw, who joined the facilities maintenance department in 1989 and became its director in 2011.
“I believe that Mr. Phillippe’s skills and talents represent a natural fit for the Director of Facilities Management role,” LCPS Superintendent Brent Williams said in announcing the job change. “I am certain that his leadership will help to strengthen our strategic planning efforts in the area of facilities management and operational effectiveness.”
The department employs about 30 skilled tradesmen – roofers, plumbers, painters, locksmiths, HVAC specialists, electricians, carpenters and groundskeepers – and is responsible for maintenance and improvements at the district’s schools and ancillary work sites. Phillippe is expected to play a significant role in the construction of the new EB Frink Middle School now underway in LaGrange.
“I am very excited to be stepping into this new role with LCPS,” Phillippe said. “This position has been something that I have thought about a lot over the past few years and I feel that I can make an impact in this department moving forward.”
On the verge of retirement, Phillippe changed directions when the facilities maintenance position opened up. He applied, went through the interview process and accepted the new job with the understanding he would finish out the 2024-2025 school year at Woodington.
The department had been operating under the supervision of former LCPS transportation director Anthony Mitchell since Outlaw retired. Phillippe has worked his entire career in education with LCPS. He taught for 17 years at Woodington and spent two years as assistant principal at South Lenoir High School before returning to Woodington as principal.
As principal, he has set the tone for teamwork with his willingness to do what needs to be done, whether it’s tending to a garbage can in the cafeteria, picking up trash on the school grounds, sweeping the floors or filling in as a bus driver.
He holds an associate degree from Lenoir Community College, a bachelor of science degree in exercise and sports science from East Carolina University and a masters of school administration degree from ECU. He is a member of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators and the North Carolina Coaches Association. In 2021, he was honored as Administrator of the Year by the North Carolina School Library Media Association.
The next year he was named the 2022-2023 LCPS Principal of the Year.
In acknowledging his past achievements, Superintendent Williams also praised Phillippe for being “willing to continue to lead and to serve the stakeholders of our school system in this new capacity as a member of our senior staff.” Jeremy Barnett, who had been serving as the principal at Moss Hill Elementary, has been tapped to take over the principal position at Woodington.
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