PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Education on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, approved Dr. Karla Eanes as the new principal at Chatham School for Science and Engineering.

Eanes, currently principal at Chatham Central High School, has been an educator for 26 years. She has been part of Chatham County Schools for 21 years. She has been principal at CCHS since 2018 and prior to that served as assistant principal at the school since 2012.

Her classroom experience includes work with Exceptional Children. She has a doctorate in educational leadership from UNC-Chapel Hill. Eanes earned her  master’s degree in special education from UNC-Greensboro,  where she also earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education.

“It’s been an honor to be part of the Chatham Central High School family,” Eanes said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my students, families and staff I have worked with over the years. I am excited about my new role with Chatham School for Science and Engineering, though, and the opportunity to continue to grow as an educator and to take on new challenges. As the early college program in Chatham County Schools, CSSE will afford me the opportunity to see different approaches to education.” 

A Chatham native, Eanes lives in the home in Pittsboro where she grew up.

Chatham County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson said Eanes’ experience makes her a tremendous asset in her new role. “Having such an experienced administrator step into this role will ensure a smooth transition for Chatham School of Science and Engineering and will continue to move our district as a whole forward,” he said.

Eanes succeeds Principal Bobby Dixon, who has been hired by the state Department of Administration as the State Director of the Division Non-Public Education. 

“I am excited about my new venture,” Dixon said. “It is much more difficult to leave a job you love than to leave one that you dislike, which is why this was such a tough decision to make. I am really pleased, though, that Dr. Eanes will be succeeding me as principal. I will always look back at my 16 years of service  in Chatham County fondly. This is my home.”