Community Connections

Looking for new ways to connect, learn, and help our students thrive? Join us for this year’s Family and Community Engagement Summit! We’re bringing families, educators, and community partners together Sept. 19 and 21 at Leesville Road High for two days of learning, conversation, and connection. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Achievers, Empowering Community,” and we’ll have practical sessions, helpful resources, and two incredible keynote speakers: nationally-recognized educator and author Jimmy Casas on Saturday, and educator and leadership coach Joy Kelly on Monday. When schools, families, and communities work together, our students benefit. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or community partner, there will be something there for everyone. Registration is open now!

School communities deserve additional information about our schools beyond the reports generated by NCDPI. Our district’s School Progress Reports provide additional state and local data about each school, including information about school climate, demographics, and leadership. Find all of our School Progress Reports on the Facts and Figures page of our district website.

This November, Wake County voters will see a proposed school bond issue on their ballots. The sale of those bonds for approximately $680 million would provide low-interest funding for new schools, major renovations, and improvements to schools across Wake County. The building program includes plans for other capital needs, like HVAC replacements, security upgrades, technology improvements, and more. Over the next ten weeks, we'll take a closer look at what's included in the proposed bond and what these investments would mean for our schools. Learn more by visiting our School Bond 2026 page.

Our district now accepts one-time and recurring donations via our district website. Families and community members can support the Angel Fund, Teacher and Principal of the Year programs, WAKE Up and Read, Tools4Schools, and Special Education. Share this new giving option with those in your network.

If you volunteered during the 2025-26 school year, renewing your volunteer status for 2026-27 is quick and easy. Renew by Oct. 31 to continue volunteering this school year. New to volunteering? We'd love to have you. Learn more.

WAKE Up and Read is a WCPSS initiative that is a community coalition of 30+ agencies in Wake County committed to ensuring that all children across Wake County read proficiently by the end of third grade. WAKE Up and Read uniquely engages families about how to support the learning and development of their children at home. We provide a space to share and support each other navigating the journey of raising literate and well prepared young learners to succeed in school and life. Through this network, parents and caregivers have the opportunity to experience literacy models based on the science of reading from foundational stages to comprehension and have discussions to help stay abreast of the latest research, data, and strategies around literacy. Sessions are designed for families with children ages 3-12 and brunch is provided. Reserve your spot today!

This week, staff released the initial draft of the 2027-28 enrollment proposal on our district website. This proposal will focus on the opening of Morrisville High, aligning feeder patterns in some areas, and addressing ongoing crowding. This is the start of a community conversation. Families can learn more, ask questions, and provide feedback before the Board makes a final decision. We will host three virtual information sessions to answer questions families and community members may have

– Sept. 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m. - Morrisville High and other related proposed changes. Attend virtually.

– Sept. 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m. - North, Northwestern, and Northeastern Wake proposed changes. Attend virtually.

– Sept. 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m. - Central, Southern, and Southwestern Wake impacts and a general overview. Attend virtually.

Families will also have opportunities to participate in an in-person open house and a public hearing. The Board is expected to vote on the final plan Nov. 17. Learn more.

The interest form for becoming a member of our Superintendent’s Community Advisory and Advocacy Alliance, also known as “The Triple-A Team,” is now open. This council of diverse voices is a commitment to transforming practices to achieve educational excellence and the well-being of every student in our district. If you would like to be considered to serve on The Triple-A Team, please complete this interest form no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

Meet our ten 2026-27 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year finalists! These exemplary school leaders are active in their schools and communities, earn the respect of their students, teachers, peers, and parents, and demonstrate a strong ability to improve the achievement of students they serve. We are honored to have some of the best school leaders here in our district! Meet our finalists.

Retired district administrator Drew Cook was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during the Sept. 1 Board of Education meeting in recognition of nearly three decades of service to public education in North Carolina. A Garner High graduate, Cook began his career there as a social studies teacher in 1997 and later served as Assistant Principal, Principal, Senior Director and Assistant Superintendent for Academics before retiring from the district in December 2025. He was named WCPSS Principal of the Year in 2011 and North Carolina High School Principal of the Year in 2012. Cook was joined for the presentation by his wife, two daughters, and mother, all of whom have also served as classroom teachers. Learn more.

– Sept. 16, 17, 24 – 2027-28 enrollment proposal virtual information sessions

– Sept. 18 – Triple-A Team Interest Form closes

– Sept. 19, 21 – Family and Community Engagement Summit

– Oct. 31 – Volunteer application renewal deadline

Staff Connections aims to highlight one of the many people who power public education in Wake County. Our goal is to introduce you to the staff members behind the scenes — those who build partnerships, support schools, and make learning possible for students across the district.

A Triangle native and 18-year veteran of the Wake County Public School System, Dr. Leigh Ann Alford-Keith leads our district’s strategic and innovative initiatives. As a former civics teacher, she is deeply passionate about the vital role public schools play in preparing our citizens to become future community leaders. Dr. Alford-Keith's educational philosophy is driven by a simple proverb: “If a seed of lettuce does not grow, we do not blame the lettuce. Instead, the fault lies with us for not having nourished the seed properly.”

She brings this mindset to her daily work, utilizing her expertise in authentic family and community partnerships, strategic planning, data analysis, and equity to ensure our district has systems in place that will give every student what they need to reach their full potential.

A self-identified scholar-practitioner with degrees from Meredith College, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Western Carolina University, Dr. Alford-Keith reads more than 100 books a year. Outside of work, you can find her on her yoga mat or spending time with her husband – also a lifelong educator – and their two dogs, Henry and Tilly. Want to get in touch with Dr. Alford-Keith? Send her an email!

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