Building culture in the school
Betterton’s blueprint centers on culture — and he believes athletics can be one of the quickest ways to unite a new school community.
“Athletics can go a long way in building overall school culture,” Betterton said. “Getting the kids excited about being the first to do this, being the first to do that.”
Betterton has been part of a new-school launch beofre, having served at Archer Lodge Middle School when that campus opened. He said the “firsts” that come with a new school — first teams, first home games, first rivalries, first championships — can build connection quickly.
But he also acknowledged the challenge of starting small and building upward, especially with a young student body and an athletic departmnet that must be constructed from the ground up.
“You’re laying the foundation,” Betterton said. “It doesn’t matter what the score is … What is the process? What od we do in practice to get better?”
Between now and opening day, Betterton said his focus is practical and urgent: building schedules, ordering equipment and uniforms, hiring and supporting coaches, and introducing himself to families and students who will define Wilson’s Mills’ first seasons.
“We’ve got to get rolling on stuff,” he said.
He said scheduling can be a real challenge for a new school entering the landscape, since many programs have future seasons booked well in advance. Even so, Betterton said he’s encouraged by the willingness of schools to help make room for Wilson’s Mills as the Green Wave comes online.
He also emphasized the importance of parent involvement early, including booster club support, volunteer help, and community buy-in as the school builds its identity.
“We’re going to need parent support,” Betterton said. “We’ve got to start a booster club. We get to establish what it looks like to be a Green Wave at Wilson’s Mills High School.”
A familiar name in Johnston County
Betterton brings more than two decades of experience within Johnston County Public Schools.
In addition to Archer Lodge, he previously served at Corinth Holders School, when it was a K-8 school, as a teacher and coach. He also spent one year as an assistant principal at Glendale-Kenly Elementary, and worked as athletic director and coach at Smithfield Middle School.
The N.C. Athletic Directors Association recognized Betterton with the inaugural Middle School Athletic Director of Excellence Award in 2024 for his contributions to middle school athletic administration.
Archer Lodge Middle School principal Matt Johnson praised Betterton’s fit for the job.
“Brad is a servant leader with a heart for kids and a passion for athletics,” Johnson said. “His years of experience as an AD and coach will ensure that the Green Waves build a culture of fairness and excellence on and off the field.”
For Betterton, the excitement lies in the blank slate—and in what it means for families who get to be part of the beginning.
“Your id gets to be part of the first team to build that program,” he said. “We get to establish all this stuff.”
