Lake Norman Publications

Gardner selected as next Mooresville Schools superintendent



Jason Gardner with his family after a Board of Education special session featuring a unanimous vote naming Gardner next superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District. /Lee Sullivan

MOORESVILLE – An impressive academic background – including a current leadership role in a neighboring district – along with previous experience as a school administrator in Mooresville and direct ties to the community are among the assets the next superintendent of the Mooresville Graded School District (MGSD) brings to the job.

In a special session Monday afternoon, following a 10-minute closed session to discuss personnel, the MGSD Board of Education unanimously confirmed the selection of local resident Jason Gardner as superintendent.

Gardner, currently interim superintendent of Rowan-Salisbury Schools, will begin his duties in Mooresville when he is released from his duties with the RSS system. Michael Royal will continue in his role as Mooresvile’s interim superintendent until Gardner makes the transition.

During the search process, which began early this year when Stephen Mauney announced his intentions to retire, the board secured assistance from the North Carolina School Boards Association and subsequently carefully reviewed applications from a diverse field of 22 candidates from 10  different states.

The board’s decision to offer the position to Gardner, according to a release from the district, was based on the board members determining “Gardner’s experience, leadership and dedication to students and staff would best serve MGSD students, employees and the community for years to come,” with the statement expressing the board’s confidence that “Gardner will lead the school system to even higher achievement.”

Gardner has a career in public education spanning more than 20 years in North Carolina. In the RSS system where he is now interim superintendent, he has also worked as chief academic officer and executive director of elementary education. Over the last six years, he has played a pivotal role in helping RSS improve the number of schools meeting or exceeding growth standards.

Prior to joining RSS, Gardner spent four years as a principal and assistant principal in the Mooresville system. In addition, he previously served as a teacher and assistant principal in Iredell-Statesville Schools (2003-2012), after beginning his career as a teacher in Gaston County Schools.

In addition to his K-12 experience, he has also worked as an adjunct professor at Catawba College and Wingate University.

Gardner received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concord University. He earned a master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University and a doctorate in educational leadership at Wingate.

Gardner is married to Meghan McGrath and has three children, Abigail, Taveon and Jaxson, and two stepchildren, Nolan and Ellie. He said he was excited to have the opportunity to serve the community where he lives and where his children attend school.

“I am honored with the opportunity to serve as the next leader of Mooresville Graded School District,“ he said, “and I look forward to engaging with the community to ensure that we are providing an excellent education for every child, every day.”

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