Superintendent D. Mark Byrd, Ed. S.

Associate Superintendent Anna R. Lankford, MA

August 7, 2017 Students, Teachers, Staff and Parents of Wilkes County Schools, It is with tremendous excitement I look forward to the 2017-2018 school year, my second full year as Superintendent of Wilkes County Schools. As I saw the great accomplishments of our students and teachers last year, I was reminded daily how fortunate I am to serve in this role. After meeting with new teachers this morning, I was encouraged by the realization all of our teachers return in just a few weeks, and that our students will return in less than a month. I hope all of you are as excited about the 2017-2018 school year as I am! Recently I spoke to our principals and directors and reviewed my core beliefs of educational leadership, which include having high expectations for everyone, treating everyone with respect, treating every student the way they would want another adult treating their child, and simply doing what is right at all times. I would hope every person who walks through the doors of our schools, whether they are a student, teacher, parent, or visitor, can see evidence of these core beliefs on a daily basis. While our news broadcasts consistently share stories of what is wrong with public education, I want Wilkes County Schools to be a place where people can see what is right and a place where they want their children to be. As a native of Wilkes County and a product of Wilkes County Schools, I want this system to be the best it can possibly be, as I believe that is what the children of this county deserve! I truly believe great things are taking place in Wilkes County Schools. While programs such as Project ADMIT in our high schools, Leader in Me in our middle schools, or our literacy focus at the elementary level are reasons for excitement, it is the people of this system that truly cause me to be excited about what is taking place. As I have said before, the human capital of this school system is one of the greatest resources of Wilkes County. We have been successful in bringing great teachers and administrators to our school system and providing them support as they grow and become even stronger. The work of these individuals, along with collaborative efforts with community agencies, has helped this school system to become a source of pride for this county. We will strive every day to make it better, and will continue to expect nothing but the best from our employees, just as they expect from our students every day! In conclusion, I hope you share my excitement for the coming school year and will strive to make the 2017-2018 school year the best school year that you or your child have ever had. I hope you will find a way to support our schools more than you ever have before, and look forward to you sharing with me the many great things you observe taking place in Wilkes County Schools! Thank you, D. Mark Byrd Superintendent Wilkes County Schools 613 Cherry Street • North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 • Telephone 336.667.1121 www.wilkescountyschools.org