bcps institution progress report, may 1, 2010

7/31/2019 BCPS Institution Progress Report, May 1, 2010

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Burke County Public Schools

Teaching Tomorrows Leaders Today

Arthur W. Stellar, Ph.D.Superintendent

May 1, 2010

Donna James, EdD.Director, NC SACS CASICollege of EducationWestern Carolina University152 Camp Building

Cullowhee, North Carolina 28732

Dear Dr. James,

We are looking forward to your visit! Please accept the accompanying report as evidence of the highlysignificant progress which the Burke County Board of Education, Burke County School District, and entirecommunity have made regarding the twelve recommendations from SACS-CASI/AdvancED (SACS).We believe you will be impressed at all that we have accomplished since your last visit. We have activelyengaged the entire community in multiple projects to solicit input into a myriad of issues impacting thisschool district.

A most significant issue at the present time is the development of the budget for 2010-11 - which in this

case means dealing with a budget deficit of approximately $6.6m. Virtually anyone who wants to share anopinion has been afforded the opportunity to do so, and more importantly, their views have been taken intoserious consideration and in many cases their suggestions have been implemented. In a similar vein, thedevelopment of board policies and the strategic planning process (including the Mission and Vision of theschool district) were created based upon the input of hundreds of individuals representing everydemographic group in the community.

All of this progress would not have been possible without the SACS catalyst which identified certainstandards and compelled the formation of teams to meet our goals. While this may have occurred withoutthe involvement of SACS, it would have been more difficult without SACS guideposts and assistance. Inthe best of circumstances it would likely have taken two years to achieve what has been accomplished in 9

to 12 months.

We have at least one file cabinet full of documentation to substantiate what has been accomplished. Wecan document the many hours of time that various individuals have spent in this worthy endeavor.However, what is most important is that attitudes and behaviors have changed - particularly those ofmembers of the school board. Because of the intense training the board members received, they will berecognized at the North Carolina School Board Association conference in the fall as having earned

P.O. Box 989, Morganton, NC 28680-0989 Phone (828) 439-4312Website: http://www.burke.k12.nc.us An Equal Opportunity Employer Fax: (828) 439-4314
http://www.burke.k12.nc.us/http://www.burke.k12.nc.us/


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bcps institution progress report, may 1, 2010

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