“It’s time we stand up and say something”: Success in local public school advocacy

In a time when opinions are polarized, headlines are muddled, and unity seems like a bygone idea, how is anyone supposed to get a persuasive message through to people? When narratives cast public schools as “failing” and families feel that they are in need of alternatives, how can local school district leaders and public education supporters make a stand?

One school district in North Carolina has found a way to establish their voice and cut through the noise, resulting in a more informed community. In turn, these community members are more willing to carry the message about the highlights and benefits of their neighborhood public schools. In Rutherford County Schools, they have made the declaration that “Education Matters” as they seek to make their public schools the premier choice for families.

In this episode, Superintendent of Rutherford County Schools Dr. David Sutton joins the show along with the district’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Ritchie Garland, to talk with NCSBA’s Ben Christoph about the inspiration, planning, and progress of a campaign that is raising the discourse about local public schools.

NCSBA is the professional organization that represents local boards of education in North Carolina. It is a member-driven association that supports the school governance team—school board members, superintendents, senior administrative staff and board assistants—in its complex leadership role. We help develop, communicate, and advocate for the perspective of North Carolina school districts.

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