PITTSBORO — The Chatham County Board of Education on June 30, 2022, approved Nikki Murchison as the principal of Bonlee School.

Murchison has been in education for 23 years, all of which she has spent with Chatham County Schools. During her career in education, she has been a teacher, an instructional coach, and has served as the assistant principal at Virginia Cross Elementary School since 2018. 

Murchison also is the 2022-23 Assistant Principal of the Year for Chatham County Schools.

Murchison has deep ties to Chatham County. A native of Chatham County, she attended Silk Hope School and then graduated from Jordan-Matthews High School. She earned her undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, a master’s degree from UNC-CH in education for literacy specialist K-12 and her master’s in school administration from UNC-Greensboro. She has established strong ties with students, staff, families and community members across the district and her deep knowledge of the community will assist her in her new role at Bonlee. 

“I dearly love working with our children. Education is such a passion for me, and it is so meaningful to have the honor of working in a field that has a lasting impact on others,” Murchison said. “Bonlee is not just a community, but a family. I am grateful to have the opportunity to join this family.”  

Chatham County Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Jackson said Murchison’s skills as an administrator and educator will make her an outstanding leader at Bonlee. 

“Mrs. Murchison’s knowledge of the community and her desire to serve her students and their families to the best of her ability will make her an excellent principal at Bonlee,” he said. “We are excited to see how she excels in her new role as she brings her proven success as an outstanding educator to lead this school.”

Murchison succeeds Kim Taylor, who is retiring as principal.