County Leaders Declare June 9 Bill McNeal Day
June 6, 2006 - Friday, June 9 has been proclaimed Bill McNeal Day in Wake County by the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Wake County Board of Education in honor of Superintendent Bill McNeal who is retiring at the end of the month after six years as superintendent and a career devoted to Wake County schools. Board of Education chair Patti Head applauds as County Commissioner Tony Gurley presents Superintendent McNeal with a plaque proclaiming McNeal Day. |
"Bill McNeal has devoted his energy and time to making our school system one of the best in the nation," said Board of Education chair Patti Head. "His leadership has brought our community national recognition, has been a boon to our county's strong economy and just this year - not counting the other 31 - he's touched the lives of more than 120,000 children preparing them and our county for a bright future."
County Commissioners approved a resolution at their meeting Monday and the Board of Education approved a resolution at their meeting Tuesday offering their thanks to McNeal for his years of service to Wake County and the county's children.
McNeal's leadership and achievements resulted in his recognition as the 2004 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators.
McNeal was the sixth superintendent of the Wake County Public School System. He was named superintendent July 26, 2000. He devoted his 32-year professional career to the Wake County Public School System. McNeal served as Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services, Associate Superintendent for Auxiliary Services, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, principal of Martin Middle School, principal of East Garner Middle School, Assistant Principal of Carroll Junior High and a social studies teacher at Carroll Junior High.
McNeal worked to develop the Wake County Public School System's first unified academic goal in 1998 and renewed the commitment to a district academic goal in 2003. Goal 2008 unified the community and school system in providing resources and efforts to boost student academic success. The goal has helped push WCPSS students to success with 91 percent of students in grades 3-8 at grade level or above and 89.4 percent of graduates entering post-secondary education;
McNeal developed and implemented the Accelerated Learning Program, providing additional instructional time for students performing below grade level in grades 3-8. This and other programs are part of the efforts that narrowed the achievement gap between students on free or reduced lunch and their peers by 13.5 percentage points between 2000 and 2005.
McNeal supported the creation of Business Alliances, Career Pathway Employer Teams, and other elements of the School-to-Career program to increase business involvement in schools and help students understand the connection between academic success and future career prospects.
The commissioners and board established Bill McNeal Day to honor the retiring school superintendent for his many years of dedicated service, effective leadership and excellent stewardship.
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