Superintendent's Message

Bill McNeal

In 1976, leaders in Raleigh and the surrounding Wake County communities took a brave risk in creating the merged Wake County Public School System. Twenty-five years later, their wisdom has been confirmed as WCPSS is recognized as one of the best school districts in the state and nation. As we celebrate our silver anniversary, we must honor those people who recognized that we accomplish far more when united, not divided.

The tireless work of North Carolina's finest teachers has made us the highest-performing large urban district in the state, while our principals and administrators have made us the most efficient. Wake County's business community has partnered with us to create new opportunities for career growth and exploration.

Parent advocates and citizens have flooded into our school buildings, volunteering, mentoring, and supporting our children.

We do not celebrate our 25th anniversary for our institution's sake, but for the sake of those whom we serve. Wake County's children are Wake County's future, and we celebrate that we have been able to give so many children an opportunity for lifelong success. However, many of the challenges that we faced in 1976 are still with us, though we have taken great strides forward. What progress we have made is due to the fact that we have worked together as Wake County citizens. Now it is time to continue the challenge because, despite our success, too many children are being left behind.

Without devoting our community's resources to keeping and retaining quality teachers, maintaining academic excellence for every child, and offering parental choice through our magnet programs, that forward progress will be unable to sustain itself. The industrial economy of 1976 is gone, replaced by the information economy of 2001. The stakes are higher; we must respond.

Since 1998, we have had a lofty goal - for 95 percent of our third and eighth graders to be at or above grade level by 2003. Education is a community endeavor. Let us honor those leaders of the past 25 years by continuing their work as a community: meeting the Goal 2003 challenge, closing the achievement gap, and bringing educational opportunity - and hope - to every last child in Wake County.

Bill McNeal
Superintendent, WCPSS