James E. Ingram has been appointed principal of Shepard Middle School.  He replaces Kenneth Barnes, who was recently named principal of Southern High School.

Cornelius G. Redfearn, an assistant principal at Hope Valley Elementary School, has been named Principal of Lakewood Elementary School. He replaces Elizabeth Shearer, who was recently appointed Principal of the City of Medicine Academy, which moves out of Southern High School and opens at its own site this fall.

Durham Public Schools Central Services offices will operate on a summer schedule through Friday, August 15.  The schedule is as follows:

• For the weeks of June 16 and 23, DPS offices will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and will be closed to the public on Friday, June 20 and Friday, June 27. 
• For the week of June 30, DPS offices will be open to the public from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and will be closed on Friday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
• From July 7 through August 15, DPS offices will be open to the public Mondays through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Fridays from 8 am until 11:30 am.
• Normal office hours (8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) will resume on Monday, August 18.

The Durham Public Schools Office of Public Affairs has been recognized with several awards from its national professional association.  The National School Public Relations Association recently announced its annual awards honoring marketing and communications efforts among local school districts across the country.