Consultant to PSRC interim superintendent quits one day after contract OK’d

LUMBERTON — The Public Schools of Robeson County interim superintendent’s consultant has resigned, according to the PSRC’s spokesman.

Anthony Parker, also known as Tony, resigned on Wednesday, Gordon Burnette said.

The reason for his resignation was not disclosed to The Robesonian.

Parker was hired on Sept. 8 by the PSRC Board of Education to act as a consultant to interim Superintendent Loistine DeFreece. Both were hired after the firing of Superintendent Shanita Wooten that evening.

Parker’s exit will not affect DeFreece’s position or duties as interim superintendent, said Craig Lowry, PSRC Board of Education chairman.

The Education Board on Tuesday approved month-to-month contracts that would pay Parker $4,000 a month and DeFreece $6,470 a month.

“Consultants from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction worked in the district until March and began working with us again during the middle of September,” Burnette said.

“Chairman Lowry has stated that N.C. DPI consultants will be in the district at least once a week collaborating with interim Superintendent DeFreece,” he added.

During his time with the school system, Parker analyzed maintenance personnel needs and crafted a classroom cleaning and sanitizing log and a bathroom cleaning checklist, Burnette said.

“He was also instrumental in organizing and scheduling training sessions for principals and custodians that included processes and procedures for using our 360 Sanitization Machine,” Burnette said.

Parker served as the superintendent in Johnston and Berkeley counties before being hired to assist DeFreece in her interim superintendent duties.