GCS Appoints Directors for Three Departments

Guilford County Schools (GCS) announced the appointment of new directors for the school safety, exceptional children's and technology services departments.

Director of Safety and Security

Quintin Trent was named the director of security and safety. Trent has more than 20 years of experience with the High Point Police Department as a patrol lieutenant, court liaison and school resource officer liaison. In addition to his experience with the High Point Police Department, Trent also holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and is completing the requirements to obtain a master's degree in homeland security.

"We look forward to the expertise Mr. Trent will bring to this position," said Gwen Willis, chief student services officer. "He has a deep understanding of security issues that we face as a nation, a community and a school district."

Trent brings to this position his experience as the School Resource Officer Liaison from 2005-2008 with the High Point Police Department. In that position, he worked extensively with the school resource officers (SROs) and school administrators . He also implemented a program where the SROs worked closely with the elementary school administrators.

Director of Exceptional Children

Karen Sylvester will serve as the director of the exceptional children's department. She has been program director of the exceptional children's program for Thomasville City Schools since 2006. Prior to her current position, she served as a school psychologist in Thomasville City Schools, Cumberland County Schools and Indianapolis Public Schools in Indiana.

"Ms. Sylvester has been a successful administrator in the area of budget management, as she led her previous district in maximizing limited funding without negatively impacting service delivery," said Susan Griffin, executive director of exceptional children's services. "Her experience complements the needs of our Exceptional Children's department."

Director of Technology

Ken Woody was named the new director of technology. Woody has been with the GCS Technology Services department as a project manager since 2001. His prior experience includes serving as a middle school and high school science teacher in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. He also worked as a technology coordinator and helped other teachers integrate technology into their instruction.

As director, Woody will manage the GCS network, which is home to more than 27,000 computer workstations, about 3,500 laptops and 1,000 tablet devices. He will oversee selection of equipment and software, networking, infrastructure in new and renovated schools and emerging technology in schools.