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1 <br />!�� aiu rls�,�� ;�'tei al:i �I•7:1ii:9-3'i <br />NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION <br />22ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE <br />NOVEMBER 9,1991 <br />It seems safe to say North Carolina has had better days. To turn this unflattering series of events around will require high <br />quality leadership. It behooves us all to'examine as carefully as possible the men and women who are, and those who will be <br />offering themselves for service in decision making offices. <br />It further seems to me that those of us who serve in leadership positions in public education commit ourselves anew to <br />providing the best leadership possible. If N. C. is to regain some of its lost prestige and build a more promising future it is <br />imperative that we have high quality schools. <br />There is ample evidence that state efforts, despite the best of intentions have not been effective in improving public <br />schools. It is time for local communities to take the initiative. If local communities are to be more effective, as I believe they <br />will be, we must understand some things success will require: <br />n SUCCESS WILL REQUIRE AN ATTITUDE THAT SAYS WE WILL SUCCEED "IN SPITE OF." An attitude that <br />says "we can't," "They won't let us," We could if," is destined to fail. "IN SPITE OF ": <br />a A Legislature that has been unwilling or unable to follow through on their major commitments. (BEP, salary <br />schedule, Senate Bill 2); <br />> Being drzgged.through an econo —;c kt, v hole ^ °sou-ces are most crp.uirly essc w schc(,l irn0roveme- but <br />we have an obligation to do our best with whatever resources we have. I'm not an econwaist. I'm sure we're in a recession, <br />but its a strange recession. <br />> Last Sunday - -golf tournament in Pinehurst paid $2 million in prize money to 30 golfers. The guy who finished <br />dead last got $32,000. Funny recession isn't it? <br />> Last Wednesday night the Charlotte Hornets signed a contract for almost $20 million with a kid who has never <br />played a game of professional basketball. Funny recession isn't it? <br />isn't it? <br />> According to USA Today, $400 million was spent last week on halloween costumes for adults. Funny recession <br />a We have needy - -even hungry-- children in a country where diet dog food is a huge seller. It's not a very funny <br />recession is it? <br />n SUCCESS WILL REQUIRE A NEW EMPHASIS ON RESPONSIBILITY- -OURS. There has been much success in <br />Vic] <br />