����app

Morgen A. Houchard, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

The ����app County Board of ����app appointed Morgen A. Houchard, Ed.D., to serve as the Superintendent of Schools, effective February 19, 2024.

A proven leader in K-12 public education with 30 years of dedicated experience, Houchard possesses the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to serve as the school district’s eighth superintendent. He joined ����app County Schools in April 2016 after working as the assistant superintendent for Mitchell County Schools.  In ����app County, he was the executive director for auxiliary services and interim executive director for human resources before being named superintendent.

Houchard has been a classroom teacher, school administrator, and central office administrator with experience in curriculum, personnel, accountability, federal programs, public information, bus transportation, child nutrition, technology, facilities and maintenance, school safety, career and technical education, student services, and new school construction.  Having knowledge in all of these areas makes him well-rounded in school district operations.

Houchard grew up in Florida and moved to North Carolina to attend UNC-Asheville where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history with social sciences teacher certification for grades 6-12.  He obtained a master’s degree in school administration from Western Carolina University and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University.
 
He joined Mitchell County Schools in 1994 as a social studies/language arts teacher at Bowman Middle School in Bakersville.  He later served as an assistant principal and a principal in Mitchell County before moving to the central office where he held director, executive director, and assistant superintendent positions.  He also worked as an adjunct professor for Lees-McRae College and Gardner-Webb University.

Houchard has been involved in a number of professional development programs, including the Public School Forum Collaborative Project, Principals Executive Program, and SACS-CASI Quality Assurance Review Team for Schools.  As a school administrator, his school received the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School distinction; he was recognized by the National Association of Elementary School Principals/U.S. Department of ����app Salute to Leadership Program; and he even held the title of ����app of the Year.

While in Mitchell County, he was active in various community organizations, including the Mitchell-Yancey Partnership for Children, Ledger Volunteer Fire Department, Toe River Arts Council, Community and Rural Health Initiative, and Rotary International of Spruce Pine. He also has served on the ����app County Planning and Zoning Board.

Houchard values the sense of family and togetherness that is found in ����app County Schools.  He firmly believes that quality academics; safe, secure, and inviting school campuses; parental and community involvement; and innovative practices that are a direct benefit to students, employees, and families contribute to having stronger, better schools.

He and his wife, Tamara, who is a teacher at Belmont Middle School, have four children.  Their youngest child, Josie, graduated from the Highland School of Technology in 2023.

You may contact Superintendent Houchard by sending an e-mail to superintendent@gaston.k12.nc.us.

Click here for our news release about Houchard’s appointment by the Board of ����app.