ABSS Board of Education stands with Sock Puppets baseball mascots Whiff and Socksquatch

ABSS Board of Education stands with Burlington Sock Puppets baseball team mascots Socksquatch and Whiff

Board of Education

The Alamance-Burlington Board of Education is the local governing body of the Alamance Burlington School System. The seven members have been elected by Alamance County citizens.

The school board sets policy for the school system, which is then administered by the superintendent and staff. The school board also sets the direction of the school system through the strategic planning process and adopts an annual budget that includes its request for local funding from the Alamance County Board of Commissioners, as well as its plan for the use of state and federal funds. 

The North Carolina State Board of Education, as legislated by the North Carolina General Assembly, provides statewide public school governance. The state is responsible for the majority of the district's funding as well as oversight of core academic curricula.

ABSS Board Member Sandy Ellington-Graves Headshot

SANDY ELLINGTON-GRAVES

BOARD CHAIR

Elected: 2020
Current term expires: 2024
sandy_ellingtongraves@abss.k12.nc.us

Ms. Ellington-Graves is a 1989 graduate of Southern Alamance High School. She has been a parent of an ABSS student since 1998 and has five nieces and nephews in ABSS. She has been actively volunteering for years with PTA, Athletics, ACE and VOICE. She also served on the Joint Facilities Task Force in 2017 and graduated from the first ABSS Parent Engagement Program in 2019. 

"The most fulfilling part of serving on the BOE is the people! Being able to engage students, teachers and families across the county is a unique opportunity. I meet so many people who share their best moments and their biggest challenges with me. They believe I can help make a difference and that is truly humbling! Every day, every situation brings something new, something meaningful!"

RYAN BOWDEN

RYAN BOWDEN

VICE CHAIR

Elected: 2020
Current term expires: 2024
ryan_bowden@abss.k12.nc.us

Mr. Bowden is a 2001 graduate of Southern Alamance High School with two children who attended ABSS Schools. Mr. Bowden has also served as a member of the ABSS Joint Facilities Task Force Committee.

"I enjoy having the opportunity to serve others and being a voice for our children, parents, and community."

Headshot of Dan Ingle Board of Education Member

DAN INGLE

Elected: 2022
Current term expires: 2026
dan_ingle@abss.k12.nc.us

Dan Ingle, an Elon College graduate, spent eighteen of his forty years in law enforcement as the Town of Elon's Police Chief. He was also an Alamance County Commissioner and NC State Representative. His ABSS involvement included teaching DARE, the ACC Criminal Justice program at Eastern High, and coaching girls' basketball at Hawfields Middle School.

"We are an ABSS family, with my wife being a Cummings graduate, two daughters graduating from Western, two grandchildren from Southern, and three grandchildren still in the District. I believe in ABSS and will do everything in my power to improve our student's educational experience."

Chuck Marsh ABSS Board of Education Headshot

CHUCK MARSH

Elected: 2022
Current term expires: 2026
chuck_marsh@abss.k12.nc.us

Chuck Marsh has been involved with ABSS as a parent, a supporter of High School Football and FCA for years.  

Chuck is an Alamance County business owner and has enjoyed supporting the District through various means of service.

"I’m extremely happy to be part of the ABSS board of education.  I’d like to thank our community for putting their trust in me to represent them and our children.  I hope to represent you well.  Please feel free to reach out for any of your needs.  I’ll do my best to help!"

DONNA DAVIS WESTBROOKS

DONNA DAVIS WESTBROOKS

Elected: 2020
Current term expires: 2024
donna_westbrooks@abss.k12.nc.us

Ms. Westbrooks worked first as a teacher and then administrator for ABSS before retiring in 2017, having served for 32 years. She is a graduate of Cummings High School, her husband and 2 children graduated from Williams High School, and she has 4 grandsons currently attending an ABSS school.

"I have always been an advocate for public education and realized quickly after retiring, I wasn’t finished promoting and supporting ABSS. I was proud to have served the students and families of our county for so many years and truly missed it. With 4 grandsons in the system, I wanted to become more involved and get back to being in the know about ABSS. I feel with my knowledge and experience from working in ABSS all those years, I could still be an advocate for public education while supporting our students, staff, and families."

Dr. Charles Parker ABSS Board of Education Headshot

DR. CHARLES PARKER

Elected: 2022
Current term expires: 2026
charles_parker@abss.k12.nc.us

Dr. Charles Parker has been an ABSS parent since 2010 and currently has two children in ABSS. His ABSS involvement includes volunteering for Boosters, athletics, and as a judge for the district science fair. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from North Carolina State University.

"I am honored to serve on the Board of Education because as a father of three children in our public schools and as a scientist-educator myself I want the best education for every student at every school in ABSS."

DR. DAIN BUTLER

DR. DAIN BUTLER

SUPERINTENDENT
dain_butler@abss.k12.nc.us

Dr. Dain Butler was sworn-in as the district's seventh superintendent on Monday, June 27, 2022. Butler is an Alamance County native and product of the former Alamance County School System. His 17-year professional career in ABSS began as a teacher at Broadview Middle School in 1999, then as an assistant principal, principal and central services administrator. He holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.