ABSS names Dr. Tina Lupton to lead special programs

Alamance-Burlington School System named Dr. Tina Lupton as its new executive director of special programs and talent development, placing one leader over services that reach nearly 23,000 students in 38 schools across Alamance County.

The post sits near the center of the district’s most visible academic supports. ABSS says its offerings include academically and intellectually gifted programs, Exceptional Children services, career and technical education, international baccalaureate, pre-collegiate academies, early college and STEM opportunities. For families, that means the new leader will be tied to programs that shape how students are identified for advanced work, how children with disabilities are served, and how pathways to college or work are built inside the district.

The money behind those services is just as important as the programs themselves. ABSS says its Federal Programs office uses Title I-Part A, Title I-Part C, Title II, Title III and Title IV-Part A funds to support student academic success, professional development, English Learner services and parent engagement. That makes the special programs portfolio more than a personnel assignment. It puts Lupton in a position that touches how federal dollars are translated into classroom support, staff training and outreach to families.

The district’s Exceptional Children division says its goal is to educate children with exceptionalities and foster independence, a mission that often hinges on staffing, compliance and consistent service delivery from school to school. In a district the size of ABSS, where special education and advanced programming span 38 campuses, leadership changes can affect how quickly families get answers, how smoothly services are coordinated and how evenly opportunities are offered across Burlington and the rest of Alamance County.

The talent development side of the job also reaches into career pathways. ABSS says its career and technical education mission is to equip students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to move from school to the workforce through career-focused learning, real-world experiences and industry-recognized credentials. The district rebranded its Alamance County Career Accelerator Program as Apprentice Alamance on Oct. 18, 2024, and later said 51 students had participated, 12 were active, 23 had graduated and 11 businesses were actively participating, with 15 local businesses providing opportunities overall. Those numbers give Lupton a measurable benchmark as she takes on a role that could influence who gets access to advanced academics, special education support and work-based learning.