Mark Byrd is a native of Wilkes County and begins his ninth year as Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools in 2024-2025. He is a graduate of North Wilkes High School, Wilkes Community College, and graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in History and Secondary Education in 1994. Mr. Byrd taught ELPS (Civics) and World History at North Wilkes High School from 1995-2002, where he also served as an assistant football coach and men's track coach.
After receiving his Masters in School Administration from Gardner-Webb University in 2002, Byrd served as Assistant Principal at West Alexander Middle School and Elkin High School. He later served as Principal of North Iredell High School and Elkin High School. In 2011, he was named Elkin City School's Principal of the Year.
In 2012, he returned to Wilkes County Schools as Director of Secondary Education and was named Assistant Superintendent in 2014. In May of 2015, he received his Educational Specialist (Ed.S) in Educational Administration from Appalachian State University.
Upon the retirement of Dr. Marty Hemric, Byrd was named Interim Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools effective January 1, 2016. On January 29, 2016, the Wilkes County Board of Education announced that Byrd would become Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools effective July 1, 2016. Byrd is the 8th superintendent to serve our school district since 1899.
Mr. Byrd serves on the Wake Forest Baptist Health/Wilkes Medical Center Advisory Board and serves as the Vice President of Education for the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce. He previously served on the Executive Board of the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association (NCSSA) and the Board of Directors for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). In 2023, Byrd was selected as the Bob McRae Superintendent of the Year by the NCHSAA. He was selected by the NWRESA as the Region 7 Superintendent of the Year for 2021-2022 and was also recognized as the North Carolina Public School Maintenance Association Superintendent of the Year for 2021.
Away from work, Mr. Byrd enjoys golfing, trout fishing, and hunting.