Governor Beverly Perdue joined N.C. State Board of Education Chairman William Harrison, numerous State Department of Public Instruction officials, Halifax County Schools Board of Education representatives and the school system’s superintendent,  Elease Frederick, to welcome teachers and administrators for a week of personal development training and the official kickoff of the new school year.

DPI and HCS are entering the second of a three year court ordered partnership to improve student academic achievement as measured by standardized end of year testing.

Governor Perdue thanked the HCS teachers and administrators for their efforts.

She commented that meaningful change is always extremely difficult and that she knows the teachers are working under a microscope. 

Perdue commented that when the teachers are successful, the county and the state will be able to move forward but their success will be measured by their students’ test scores.

The Governor provided insight on how her seventh grade teacher challenged her and her parents to set higher expectations and not just get by with the minimum amount of work.

Perdue said, “This teacher changed my life making me realize that hard work is well worth the effort.”

Perdue asked the Halifax educators to remember that they hold their students futures in their hands. “What you help the students accomplish, will be the best hope for their future success and the success of the community. We need a 21st Century workforce of educated young people to attract quality jobs and provide economic development for Northeastern North Carolina.”

Perdue asked the teachers and administrators to invite her back to meet with parents and the community where she could help stress the importance of community and family involvement in education.

After a brief meeting with Superintendent Fredrick, DPI staff and HCS Board members; the Governor and her Highway Patrol escort sped back to Raleigh for an important date to sign the NC campaign reform bill into law.