May 11, 1999 my dad Al Garner died, to this day I haven’t really gotten used to that. I don’t talk about him much, if he was alive his pictures and stories of silly things we were doing would be regular posts. So indulge me today as I share about my daddy.

He was only 17 when I was born, but that didn’t keep him from accomplishing so much- he went from being a grocery store bag boy to a Vice President of a chain. In April 1999 he was featured on the cover of a produce industry magazine and was a sought after speaker. He never let being a teenage father be a barrier to a successful life.

Most of my memories are of things we did together as a family; trips, summers at Crooked Lake, sporting events, holiday time, dance recitals… but the overarching theme was the knowledge of his unconditional love for me and my sister. I never realized I had that until I was an adult, but it continued into my adult life. I always knew that he expected me to do my best and felt safe trying new things because he and my mom  “had my back”. I think that carried over into me getting involved in public service and advocacy for public education. I know it made me a better parent to my own kids. And I have never questioned if he would be proud of me and my sister for who we have become as adults….he always was and always would be.

I used to refer to myself as Al’s Kid… he was constantly taking me and my sister to events and things, to show us off and to show us the world, or at least his part of it. On my graduation day from UNCC, I even painted the top of my cap with the words Al’s Kid to make sure he could find me in that sea of people. I wore that title with great pride…still do
He was such a loving grandpa, Papa Al. My girls lit up his life and he gave them that same love he gave us as kids. Even though Mason was born after his death, I see him in my lil man….his spirit, his competitiveness and his image– tall, lanky with curly hair and dark introspective eyes. I deeply wish he could have been here to know Mason, Max and Julia….they would have delighted him.

He said to us not long before his heart attack that he never wanted to get old- this was after being around my grandparents and watching them become more feeble. Ironically a few weeks after that Tanya and I sat in front of my grandparents and had to tell them he had died; I guess he got his wish. He is forever frozen in my mind as this big strong man, with a deep roaring laugh and a twinkle in his eye, sarcastic humor and intense love of life.
Ours was the dad that never shied away from telling us he loved us…..I still can hear the messages he would leave on my answering machine that always ended in “…LUUUUUUV Dad, XOXOXO.” The XOXO was like our family code for I love you always. When he lay in a hospital bed fighting to live, hooked to more machines than most could fathom he couldn’t really talk, so he would hold our hands and with his long thin fingers trace the letters XOXO into our palms. That remains etched into my soul to this day.
Dad, I love you always, XOXOXOXOXO……

Sometimes life gets in the way! Or maybe I should quote Robert Burns and say “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”
I truly planned to blog a few times a week, but it was placed pretty low on my priority list; behind work, motherhood, board work, and personal time. I am going to recommit to blogging about education issues weekly, as a way to share my thoughts, concerns, hopes and ideas for helping move our public school forward and create a culture of academic success.
So here goes!

Thanks for being here!
Rhonda

I am half way through my graduation schedule for 2012. It is a little easier this year than in the past 2 years since I have no graduates of my own. But regardless, there is a lump in my throat when I hear the orchestra start “Pomp and Circumstance” and at some point in every ceremony I have attended since being elected, I have to blink back tears.
High School graduation means different things to other vastly diverse students and families. To all who make it to this day, it is a day of celebrating. But the celebrations are as different as the children walking across the various stages around our county. (and no, I am not talking about the cheering or yelling or any of those things).
What I am talking about is what this day means to the kids walking across the stage. To many, it is a celebration of all their accomplishments and then onto college to continue their success. To others, this may be the only time the ever walk across a stage to receive anything, as they prepare to enter the workforce, hopefully prepared from their time at CMS. (But in many cases, CMS has not done enough to get kids career ready, as our Career/Technical programs have taken hard hits in the budget cutbacks. This is an area that I want to push for– giving kids more opportunities for highly skilled job training while still in high school– a subject for an entire blog!) Then there are all those who may start college, then take a different path, or enter our US Armed Forces and serve to protect our democracy. And others I watched who may be the first in their family to finish high school, which seems almost impossible in 2012, but it is their reality.

I couldn’t help but think of those who were missing from the celebration….the kids who don’t graduate with their class, who don’t complete their high school course of work in 4 years. Although 2012 graduation rates aren’t in yet, we know that in our best schools last year only 93% graduated. If you look at that in the way courses are graded then our best only get an A- for getting kids to complete high school in 4 years. In our worst cases, the rates plummet to a mere 54% at the CMS high school that is struggling the most. Yesterday reminded me why we must be BOLD and face these challenges with innovation like Project Lift. And while I philosphically don’t believe that money fixes problems, the privately funded project will be an incubator to try new programs and innovative methods to impact that 54% graduation rate. Project LIFT can’t fix it by itself, it will take a commitment from students and parents in that community and a sense of accountability from all 3 of the keys partners in education: students, parents and staff. All three must be in this to win it!

One of the coolest things about being a school board member, is participating in graduation ceremonies. I have the best view in the house of all the kids coming across stage for their big moment. Its their time to shine. In their faces I see the nerves, the excitement and yes, the future. It is an awesome sight! This year I have watched kids that I have known since they were born get their diplomas and a highlight was being introduced by the Mallard Creek HS Class President, who I have known since he was a baby. Later this week I will attend the graduation of my Alma Mater, South Mecklenburg and in the same venue I graduated on over 3 decades ago. But one of the moments that touched me the most was a young man who looked nervous, but after he was handed his diploma, he reached over the table and hugged the administrator who had helped make this day possible for him….not a little hug, but a bear hug! And as he choked back tears he mouthed “thank you”. I watched as he was overcome with emotion and the tears started flowing……..this day meant something to him that most don’t understand. You see, I found out later he was a “turn around” student, one who was headed to dropout and instead became a graduate.
I want to make more of those…those turn around students here at CMS. I will buy the tissues for more teary moments!
Congratulation to the Class of 2012. I wish you all the success that life has to offer.

Well to start, I won’t call it dinner with Heath…..since he grabbed a snack on the way here so he could focus his time on meeting all the parents and leaders assembled. I owe my guests a bit of anonymity, so I won’t reveal their names, but I will say that I was pleased that it was an eclectic group of people who had both positive and negative things to say about CMS.
I have read some of the comments by the usual naysayers who spend their days commenting on websites and blogs about CMS. They joked that I must be serving “Chamberaide”, as in the koolaid of the Charlotte Chamber- hate to disappoint but the only “chamber” person there was from the LKN Chamber up here in the north county. (And is the CLT Chamber such a bad thing? Really– they do have a little to do with bringing businesses into our town and helping lobby for us at state and national level.) Another frequent naysayer comment was that I hand picked a perky bunch of parents. Or the best one (from a man who hasn’t met Heath yet) who bashed everything about him and then said, “oh but I am trying to stay openminded” Yea right! LOL! The usual suspects will always be naysayers….and I even invited one of them who declined first because it was a “conflict of interest” which it was not and then because of a schedule conflict. Oh well….I tried!

Here is a little of what I watched happen in my little cottage in the woods.
I did invite a limited amount of people (ended up well over 50!)since my place is only about 1700 sq feet and thankfully has a large deck. The kids played ping pong in my basement, ran through the woods and then had a fierce game of kickball going in the yard.
Some of the people were long time friends, some I met as they walked in, some I had communicated with by phone or email while serving on the BOE. They were from Mountain Island overto Highland Creek and up to Davidson,and all points in between. Every high school in D1 was represented, and most middle schools, and about half of my elementary schools. There were also parents with kids in magnet schools who live in D1.
Heath and I had not discussed the evening or scripted anything. I had just sent him a list of who had RSVPed and said I was looking forward to him meeting them.
Everyone brought sides or desserts, coolers of water and soda and myself and 2 other families pitched in for a bunch of lancasters BBQ. Other than the soon to be Superintendent being there, it was very much of a typical potluck party. Honestly, I saw that Heath had a Friday night open on his visit and asked to have dinner with him, it evolved over a couple days to this meet and greet. And no taxpayer monies were used for this event.

When Heath arrived, people were already mingling and eating so he made his way around the group. Some of my best memories are his interaction with a 4th grade girl who couldn’t seem to respond with anything but a giggle, the discussions about college choices w a HS junior, talking to another boy about the origin of his unique name. You can tell when a person is good with kids when you watch them…he is good with kids.
Heath took time to talk with each family and I stayed back and just watched….and listened. I heard topics like: Allocation of resources, over-crowding, bad attendance boundaries, teacher turnover, athletic field lights, bell schedules, offering enough opportunities for above avg and high achievers. While Heath made no promises about things, he listened, acknowledged and connected. And I saw him absorbing not only the actual comments, but the passion and concerns of the parents.
SOme of the comments that were shared with me:
One mom said, “I have tears in my eyes–I just spoke to a real teacher who gets it, I watched him talk to my daughter and she was completely engaged. I have so much hope!”
“got to meet new CMS Super. Dr. Heath Morrison & he is SUPER! Genuine, focused, hardworking (off the charts). Has a clear grasp of this district and a vision for taking learning to the top unlike any other I met.”
“deep issues were raised & met with thoughtful, enthusiastic response. He appears to be a straight forward leader/problem solver/motivator who doesn’t toss catch phrases high above one’s head (though he certainly is well-versed in the “in vogue” vocabulary & processes).”
“I came here slightly skeptical, thinking he was just another Gorman, but now that I met him he is nothing like Gorman. We are lucky we got him”
“I am not sure he canaccomplish all he wants to, but if anyone can I think its him. And I am going to be a supporter and encourager”

So friends and readers……..which group are you going to join? I am inviting you to join the group of supporters and encouragers. The group that looks for the positive with a pragmatic eye on the reality. No rose colored glasses, but a clear vision of the hard work we need to do to make our schools better for all kids. Come join me!

I am embarking on the world of blogging to share my thoughts and ideas about things happening in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools.  I would like my constituents to know more about the rationale behind my votes, the things I am working on and a deeper dive into my thoughts and perspectives on issues facing our public schools.

I hope you will follow the blog and mostly I hope you will get involved to help keep our schools strong.

Blessings………….R