Transition Team 2016-17 Final Report
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TRANSITION TEAM FINAL REPORT \ 3<br />
A<br />
LETTER<br />
FROM<br />
THE<br />
CO-<br />
CHAIRS<br />
We are honored to present the findings and recommendations of the <strong>Transition</strong><br />
<strong>Team</strong> to Superintendent Sharon L. Contreras, Ph.D., and the Board of Education<br />
of the Guilford County Schools (GCS). The <strong>Transition</strong> <strong>Team</strong>, comprised of experts<br />
from all areas of the district’s local school community as well as state and national<br />
organizations, were asked to assess the district and make recommendations for<br />
leveraging opportunities, confronting challenges, improving student, school and<br />
district performance and enhancing parent/community support.<br />
Four, separate sub-committees focused on the following, specific areas of<br />
investigation:<br />
• Student Achievement - Improve academic achievement at all schools and<br />
advance learning opportunities, particularly for those who have not yet<br />
achieved the level of success needed to access meaningful career and<br />
college opportunities.<br />
• School Choice, Equity and Excellence - Expand options and access to<br />
innovative programming and schools; create equitable choices for all<br />
families.<br />
• Talent Development - Increase organizational and school capacity to<br />
recruit, onboard, reward, develop, motivate and retain top talent.<br />
• Organizational Effectiveness for Optimal Learning - Identify school and<br />
district facility/operational needs, improve operational efficiencies and<br />
develop recommendations for addressing capital needs.<br />
The report before you represents many hours of work on the part of volunteers<br />
who followed a rigorous process of examination by reviewing data, conducting<br />
research, interviewing stakeholders, examining past practices, and discussing and<br />
formulating recommendations for improving the system. <strong>Transition</strong> <strong>Team</strong> members<br />
sought to assess surety of mission and focus on GCS’ continued journey toward<br />
a world-class, public school system that provides outstanding opportunities for<br />
teaching and learning.<br />
Recommendations from the transition team will help shape priorities for the GCS 2020<br />
Strategic Plan, along with input gathered during the Superintendent’s Listen and Learn<br />
Tour, which included 11 public forums, an online survey, and hundreds of meetings and<br />
interactions with students, parents, teachers, principals, district employees, business<br />
and community leaders, elected officials, and other key constituents.<br />
On behalf of the <strong>Transition</strong> <strong>Team</strong>, we thank you for the opportunity to participate in<br />
this important endeavor.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Harold L. Martin, Ph.D., Chancellor<br />
NC A&T State University<br />
<strong>Transition</strong> <strong>Team</strong> Co- Chair<br />
James Merrill, Ed.D., Superintendent<br />
Wake County Public School System<br />
<strong>Transition</strong> <strong>Team</strong> Co-Chair<br />
Elizabeth “Betty” Molina Morgan, Ph.D., President<br />
The Morgan Group<br />
<strong>Transition</strong> <strong>Team</strong> Facilitator