[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        BILL McNEAL: NATIONAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and proud to 
inform my colleagues that last Friday, the American Association of 
School Administrators selected Wake County Superintendent Bill McNeal 
as the 2004 National School Superintendent of the Year.
  Bill has a career of service to Wake County that dates back to 1974, 
when he arrived to teach middle school social studies. He rose through 
the ranks to serve as an Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant 
Superintendent and Associate Superintendent. He is a graduate of 
Merrick Moore High School in Durham, North Carolina and received his 
bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina Central University. 
Bill is the definition of a homegrown leader, and I couldn't be more 
pleased that his outstanding commitment to education has been 
recognized on the national level.
  As Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services, Bill played a 
key role in developing Goal 2003, Wake County's groundbreaking effort 
to take elementary education to a new level. Adopted by the Wake County 
Board of Education in 1998, Goal 2003 aimed to have 95 percent of the 
county's third and eighth graders performing at or above grade level in 
5 years. Upon assuming the position of superintendent in 2000, it was 
Bill's challenge to implement strategies for achieving this goal. The 
tremendous academic improvement which has been achieved as a result is 
a testament to Bill's leadership and to the power of pursuing a common 
endeavor on behalf of our children.
  Today the Wake County Public School System serves more than 104,000 
students from kindergarten through 12th grade in 79 elementary schools, 
25 middle schools, 16 high schools, and 5 special/alternative schools. 
It is North Carolina's fastest growing, highest-performing large urban 
school district. With a record-high average score of 1067 on the SATs, 
a low dropout rate, end-of-grade test scores higher than the state 
average for every ethnic group and income level, and continued academic 
growth among struggling and advanced students alike, it's evident that 
Bill's emphasis on academic excellence for all children has had a 
tremendous impact.
  As a former teacher himself, Bill has worked hard to make sure that 
the views of educators are valued and utilized in the school system's 
planning efforts. He has convened the Superintendent's Teacher Advisory 
Council to provide him ongoing feedback about teacher and classroom 
issues. In addition, he recognizes that the success of schools depends 
on teachers accepting increasingly complex roles and leadership 
responsibilities. The challenge is to create the conditions necessary 
for success and to structure the work of teaching to make it more 
attractive and rewarding.
  Mr. Speaker, as I join in recognizing Bill McNeal for this tremendous 
honor, I also want to thank him for his service to the schools of North 
Carolina's 4th District. Just this week, Forbes Magazine named the 
school system he leads third in the nation on its Top Ten List for the 
Best Education in the Biggest Cities. I know that Bill's outstanding 
efforts in Wake County will continue to serve as a model for others 
across the country.

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