A Vision for Education in Kershaw County
By Dr. Frank E. Morgan

First and foremost, we must close the achievement gap between majority and minority students and promote high levels of learning and achievement for all students. This is more than just a local issue; it is a national issue. Students today need to leave high school prepared for both the workplace and continuing education, whether it be college, technical school, or some other training provided by an employer. The kinds of high-paying, relatively low-skill jobs that existed when I graduated from high school in 1971 no longer exist to any significant degree. To be successful in today’s economy and today’s world, students need to have strong knowledge and skills, as well as the ability to apply them in “real world” circumstances. It is our responsibility to do everything possible to make sure our graduates are ready for this environment.

Secondly, we need to attract and retain the very best professionals to teach and work with our students. A study done in the 1990s identified the quality of the classroom teacher as having the most impact on student learning. It’s interesting how research often reinforces what we know intuitively and from our own experience as students and parents. We know that an excellent teacher makes all the difference. To have the kind of teachers we want for our students—teachers who will help close the achievement gap and inspire our students to be the very best they can be—we need to provide compensation that is competitive and consistent with the profound importance of the role teachers play in the lives of our young people.

Finally, we need to make sure that every student in Kershaw County has equal access to programs, facilities, and opportunities. To this end, the School Board and the community have undertaken a visionary construction program. The high school laptop initiative is another important part of this effort. We need to make sure that no matter where a student lives in Kershaw County, the same possibilities for learning and academic growth are available.

The late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano said, “No matter what business you’re in, you can’t run in place or someone will pass you by.” The Kershaw County schools are certainly not running in place. We need to maintain that momentum. As Superintendent, I pledge to do everything I can to work with staff and the community to keep the district moving forward.