Fayetteville educator named new Bluffton High principal

A 30-year North Carolina educator will take over as principal of Bluffton High School this summer, the Beaufort County school board announced Tuesday evening.

The board approved the selection of Denise Garison to replace retiring principal Mark Dievendorf, who is leaving the district June 30.

Garison retired from her previous school, Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville, N.C., at the end of January. That school was ranked first or second in North Carolina each of the past three years for overall student academic growth and had an on-time graduation rate of 94 percent last year, according to a Beaufort County School District news release.

“Ms. Garison’s track record is strong, and we’re fortunate to have her on our team,” Superintendent Jeff Moss said. “Everyone in the Bluffton community — students, parents, teachers and community members — will see very quickly why she’s an excellent choice.”

Garison began teaching in 1986 in Cumberland County, N.C., teaching Algebra 1, geometry and pre-algebra at first at the middle school level and later at the high-school level and for the district’s online academy.

Moss selected Garison over six other recommended candidates following an interview with an eight-member committee.

Dievendorf, who served six years as the principal of Bluffton High, announced his retirement in March, citing family and health issues as factors in the decision.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Fayetteville educator named new Bluffton High principal."