Wake County Schools And Garner Build Partnership
July 1, 2002 - Wake County School leaders and Garner school supporters are working together to strengthen Garner schools and bolster public support for them.
Superintendent Bill McNeal, Board of Education member Amy White, and Garner Mayor Sam Bridges met with more than 75 community and school leaders at a summit in Garner April 5 and with a smaller group at the school administration building June 18 to follow up on the summit discussions.
"Working together we can build the support that will help children and strengthen the Wake County Schools," said Superintendent McNeal. "Mayor Bridges and Board of Education member Amy White have worked with Garner leaders to build a partnership that will enhance our schools and the community. We want to challenge and meet the needs of all children, and we can do that working together."
School administrators, leaders from the Town of Garner, Garner Chamber of Commerce, and Garner Education Foundation agreed to form a partnership to support the schools.
"We look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come and continuing to improve on this great effort," said Mayor Bridges. "We want everyone's support and input."
"This is a win-win situation. Strong schools are the root of any thriving community," said White. "Garner is growing quickly and is gaining popularity as a prime place to raise a family in Wake County. Ongoing communication and collaboration between the school system and town leadership will definitely help the town and the area's ten schools. How can we go wrong when the most significant benefactors will be the children? "
The school system promised to help schools in Garner by creating and providing staff development for teachers in enrichment activities, establishing strong early intervention programs, and studying the need for additional positions at Garner High for upper-level classes.
School leaders will work with Wake County Human Services to establish a Partnership for Educational Success in Garner. A similar partnership in other areas of the county has helped at-risk families and helped their children work to succeed at school.
The Garner Education Foundation will provide small grants to benefit area schools and the community.
Administrators and PTA representatives at schools in Garner will work with the Garner Education Foundation and other volunteer groups in Garner to strengthen volunteer support and parental involvement in the schools.
The Town of Garner and school system will develop a process to review the school needs that arise in any new subdivisions with 100 or more homes.
The school system, town, chamber, and education foundation agreed to bolster communication efforts. White has proposed regular town meetings to discuss education issues. School administrators will work with Garner area schools to communicate their academic and community successes. The Garner Chamber is continuing its general marketing efforts on behalf of Garner and is making plans to create a new brochure in partnership with the town that highlights and promotes Garner and Garner's support for its schools.
Superintendent McNeal said the initiatives are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen our schools and build community support for academic excellence for all students.