Veteran Leaders Return to Guilford County Schools
Monk, Wells rejoin district as deputy superintendents

Greensboro, NC - Two veteran leaders will return to Guilford County Schools (GCS) as deputy superintendents, the district announced Tuesday.  

Dr. Julius Monk will become the district’s deputy superintendent of business and operations. Monk currently serves as deputy superintendent of operations in Durham Public Schools, a position he has held since June 2019. In that role, he developed a prioritized capital improvement plan estimated at $1.08 billion. He also restructured the district’s operations division to enable in-house school facility planning, focusing on transportation and food systems planning to create equity and access.
 
Monk worked in GCS from 2007 to 2019, most recently as executive director of facilities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree in entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  

Dr. Anitra Wells will become the deputy superintendent of instructional leadership, wellness and safety. Wells has been leading Lexington City Schools as its superintendent since 2018. During that time the percentage of schools meeting growth increased from 20 percent to 80 percent in one year. She led a budget overhaul, implemented a parent academy and introduced new choice and CTE programs. Wells was also the superintendent of Weldon City Schools from 2015 to 2018.  

In GCS, she was a regional executive director for the central and northern regions from 2010 to 2015 and was principal at Northeast High from 2006 to 2010. Wells holds a bachelor’s degree in business education from Norfolk State University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Old Dominion University and a doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.  

“Julius Monk and Anitra Wells are proven and effective leaders who were and will again be great assets to Guilford County Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley. “Their knowledge of the district and track record, along with their ability to build and foster relationships to support the organization’s work, will help lead our district as we move toward a new strategic direction, and I’m excited to have them back.”

About Guilford County Schools
Guilford County Schools, the third largest school district in North Carolina and among the largest of more than 14,000 in the United States, serves nearly 70,000 PK-12 students at 126 schools. With approximately 9,800 employees, GCS works in partnership with parents, businesses, colleges and the community to deliver an education that connects student interests and skills with the careers and economy of our future here and around the world. We provide educational choices to meet individual student needs in a culturally diverse citizenship and new opportunities to help our students grow. For more information, visit the district’s website at www.gcsnc.com.