Sumter School District superintendent says trust, transparency, communication critical for student success

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New Sumter School District Superintendent William Wright talked about how he means business with the district's Board of Trustees at his first meeting Monday.

After thanking the board for the opportunity to lead the district in his first official superintendent's report, Wright said trust and transparency, communication and fostering relationships with stakeholders are critical to his job and the board's role for students' success.

And then he said it again.

"Schools in 2022 and beyond require us to be unified in our efforts to improve outcomes for children," Wright said. "So, I look forward to the opportunity to continue to immerse myself in this Sumter community and to work closely with those dedicated staff who are here to serve, support and strengthen Sumter School District.

"Let me say that again," he added. "It is our duty as the adults who work on behalf of children and those who serve them directly to serve, support and strengthen the Sumter School District."

In his 10th year as a superintendent, Wright started the post on July 1 and comes to Sumter after 6.5 years as the district leader of Hertford County Public Schools in rural, northeastern North Carolina.

He inherits an often-controversial school board that is split 5-4 in voting on many issues, including the costly falling out with Penelope Martin-Knox, Sumter's former superintendent and Wright's immediate predecessor.

In part because of the board's actions, in five of the last six years, Sumter County Council has turned down the district's millage requests that would have provided additional tax money for the district's staff, services and operations. In four years of service, the board has received two mills in additional funding from county council. It has been denied more than 10 additional mills.

Because of 2020 Census-prompted redistricting and legislation from the Sumter County Legislative Delegation in 2017 that expanded the board from seven to nine members, all nine seats on the school board are up for election in November.

WHAT ELSE ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT WILLIAM WRIGHT?

The new superintendent seems to have an affinity for acronyms.

In a brief welcome introduction to the trustees at the June board meeting, Wright emphasized he and the district will implement a "Triple-A Strategy," as he called it, in his first 100 days.

Wright said that stands for "Asking, Assessing and Analyzing" what is going on in the local district.

"I need to get to know us better," he said, "and hopefully over that time, you will also get to know me better."

At the outset of Monday's meeting, board Chairwoman Barbara Jackson allowed Wright to formally introduce himself to the community in attendance and also those viewing the meeting on YouTube.

He re-emphasized the "Triple-A Strategy" and also gave his developed philosophy on the "Three E's of Education" regarding instruction in the 21st Century. Those are "Engaging, Exposure and Exploration."

He also revealed a theme that has been created by district administration to move the district "from good to great," which will require everyone to work collectively. That theme uses the letters in the name "SUMTER."

"The 'S' stands for Sumter," Wright said. "The 'U' is unified. The 'M' and 'T' are masterfully teaching. We are going to conduct masterful teaching in our district. And, we have an expectation for 'Everyday Results.'"