BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION FOR

Dr. Michael L. Murray

Dr. Michael Murray received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Mars Hill College in 1984. He
then obtained his Master of Arts in Education in 1988, the degree of Education Specialist in 2005 and
completed his program with the degree of Doctor of Education in 2008, all from Western Carolina
University.

As the son of a Madison County pastor, Dr. Murray grew up in the mountains of western North
Carolina and graduated from North Buncombe High School. He spent the first twenty years of his
educational career serving the students of Buncombe County. He started at A.C. Reynolds High
School where he taught physics, chemistry and biology for four years. He then served as a school
assistant principal and building level principal for sixteen years.

Dr. Murray is currently working for McDowell County Schools as the Associate Superintendent of
Operations. He has been with that school system for the past six years and prior to the position of
Associate Superintendent, he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum. During that
assignment, he was able to establish a system-wide reading program, integrate global education and
lead the system through the district-wide SACS Accreditation process.

His current work with the system has provided him the opportunity to build relationships with various
members of the educational family. His efforts with the County Court System, Health Department,
Department of Social Services, Emergency Medical Services, and the law enforcement community
have helped decrease the drop-out rate and increase collaboration between agencies. The opportunities
to build experience with the curriculum and daily operations of a school system provided valuable
expertise that he is eager to bring to Jackson County.

Professional affiliations and opportunities to serve the community include the following: Advisory
Board Member for the N.C. Prevent Child Abuse, McDowell Tech/Early College. Corpening YMCA,
McDowell County Endowment and the American Red Cross. He was President of the McDowell
County Rotary Club in 2009, Chairman of WRESA Curriculum Council in 2006 and Coordinator of
World View for McDowell County. He has served on the Quality Assurance Review Team, School
Health Advisory Committee and McDowell County Schools Head Start Policy Committee.

Mike is married to Carmen who is currently a principal at West Buncombe Elementary School.
Together they have seven children ranging in age from eleven to twenty-five. He has spent his entire
career preparing to one day lead a western North Carolina mountain school system.

He has sought the key leadership position of Superintendent of Jackson County Schools because he
strongly believes that his leadership style would match the essential beliefs that have guided this
progressive school system for years. He is excited about bringing his communication skills and
experience level to continue to build on the high expectations already established in Jackson County.
The leadership qualities that he has demonstrated throughout his career will be considered an asset as
our school system works to produce future-ready students for the 21st Century.