According to Farrelly, the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) is a diverse group of Edgecombe County stakeholders tasked with collaborating with the broader community to make informed recommendations to the Edgecombe County Board of Education and Central Services staff about district priorities over the next several years.
“The purpose of the commission is to define the future we imagine for our students and learn about opportunities and challenges we face in pursuit of that vision, specifically in the areas of equity; educating the whole child; and attracting, retaining, and developing human capital,” said Farrelly.
“The BRC is a critical part of our work to re-imagine what school looks like in ECPS. Over the course of the next 5-6 months, in addition to these community conversations, we will also be organizing discussions with educators throughout the district, as well as other stakeholders, to solicit additional input into the vision and direction of ECPS,” added Farrelly.
The commission members include students, parents, teachers, principals, and board of education members. Business, faith-based, and non-profit leaders are also members of the BRC, in addition to General Assembly representatives.
The opening meeting will be held Thursday, February 16, 2017 for Blue Ribbon Commission members. Community members are invited to attend the following school-based meetings:
- Tuesday, March 21, 2017 – North Edgecombe High School – Topic: Equity
- Tuesday, April 11, 2017 – Tarboro High School – Topic: Talent/Human Capital
- Tuesday, May 9, 2017 – SouthWest Edgecombe High School – Topic: Educating the Whole Child
All meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m.
“After each meeting, BRC members and other interested community members are invited to visit ECPS schools to see firsthand the innovative work happening across the district,” said Erin Swanson, ECPS Director of Innovation.
“ECPS is also partnering with Teach for America – Eastern NC to offer school visits to innovative schools outside of our district to learn best practices,” added Swanson.
For more information about the Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Equity, please contact Swanson at [email protected] or 252-641-2600.