Wilkes County Schools Superintendent Found Dead

Wilkes County School Superintendent Mark Byrd, 52, was found with an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at his residence in Hays Friday afternoon.

“At this time there is no evidence of foul play,” said Wilkes County Sheriff Chris Shew, adding that the Sheriff’s Office and State Bureau of Investigation are continuing their investigation of the matter. He also said an autopsy is scheduled.

Shew said deputies went to Byrd’s home in response to a phone call received at 3:14 p.m. Friday. Byrd was found deceased in a vehicle in his garage. He said a family member found Byrd. Sheriff Shew said that no additional information is available at this point.

Also late Friday night, Wilkes Board of Education Chairman Rudy Holbrook asked that people pray for Byrd’s family and the Wilkes County Schools. He indicated that more information would be forthcoming soon.

Byrd became Wilkes school superintendent in January 2016 after serving as interim superintendent since October 2015. He was named 2021 Northwest Region Superintendent of the Year by the Northwest Regional Educational Service Alliance. He also was named 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the N.C. Public School Maintenance Association and received the 2023 Bob McRae Superintendent of the Year award from the N.C. High School Athletic Association.

Byrd was director of secondary education in the Wilkes Schools starting July 1, 2012; Elkin High School principal for about five years; principal at North Iredell High School for two years; assistant principal at West Alexander Middle School and Elkin High School; and a history and civics teacher and assistant football coach and men’s track coach at North Wilkes High.