News Summary
Pitt County Schools announces the promotion of Anitra Cook and Katherine Swain to principal positions at South Greenville and Ridgewood Elementary Schools.
Pitt County, North Carolina – Pitt County Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve M. Lassiter Jr. has announced the promotion of two educators to principal positions at Ridgewood and South Greenville Elementary Schools, effective July 1, 2025. Anitra Cook will lead South Greenville Elementary, while Katherine Swain will take charge of Ridgewood Elementary. The decisions come as part of the school district’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational leadership across schools.
Anitra Cook’s experience in education spans over a decade. She has served as the assistant principal at Wahl-Coates Elementary School of the Arts since 2022, bringing with her a total of six years in various assistant principal roles. Before her position at Wahl-Coates, Cook spent three years as an assistant principal at Farmville Middle School from 2019 to 2022. Her journey with Pitt County Schools began in 2014 as a media coordinator at Sam D. Bundy Elementary, where her responsibilities included managing the school library and acting as a liaison for technology development.
Upon her appointment, Cook expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to lead South Greenville Elementary. She is dedicated to creating a culture of excellence, promoting an environment where students can succeed academically and personally.
Katherine Swain, the new principal for Ridgewood Elementary, arrives with an extensive background in education. With 23 years of total experience, Swain has spent eight of those years in administrative roles. She was honored as the 2025 PCS Assistant Principal of the Year in October 2024. After completing the North Carolina Principal Fellows Program, Swain has been a pivotal figure at Lakeforest Elementary since 2018, where she played a crucial role in helping the institution achieve recognition as a North Carolina Model STEM School of Distinction and an AVID Elementary Showcase School.
In her new role at Ridgewood Elementary, Swain is enthusiastic about continuing the school’s strong tradition of academic excellence and fostering partnerships within the community to enrich the educational experience for all students.
Both Cook and Swain have stated their commitment to developing supportive and inclusive environments at their respective schools. Their leadership is expected to play a significant role in promoting student achievement and well-being, embracing a holistic approach to education that nurtures every child’s potential.
The announcement of these new principal appointments was made on June 9, 2025. The Pitt County Schools district is focused on strengthening its leadership team as part of its broader strategy to provide exceptional educational opportunities for students in the area. The promotions reflect a dedication to continuity and growth within the district, aiming to cultivate schools where children are encouraged to thrive academically and socially.
Residents of Pitt County and the broader community can look forward to the positive changes that Cook and Swain will bring to their schools, continuing the legacy of excellence that Pitt County Schools strives to uphold.
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Additional Resources
- Reflector: Two Elementary Schools to Get New Principals
- WNCT: New Principals Appointed for Ridgewood and South Greenville Schools
- Reflector: Pitt County Local News
- Wikipedia: Educational Leadership
- Education World: Resources for Educators
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google Search: Pitt County Schools
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