School Board Chooses Superintendent: Veteran Educator McNeal Tapped

Tuesday, July 25, 2000 - The Wake County Board of Education has named WCPSS Associate Superintendent William R. (Bill) McNeal to succeed Dr. Jim Surratt as the school district's sixth Superintendent of Schools. At a meeting today, school board members voted unanimously to offer the job to McNeal, who has served WCPSS for 26 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and associate superintendent.

Career Snapshot

Bill Fletcher, chairman of the Wake County Board of Education, called today's decision a landmark in Wake County history. "The school board owes it to our students to build upon our momentum in achieving Wake's goal of 95% of students at or above grade level. In Bill McNeal, we have a leader who knows what it takes to takes to get there-from the classroom to the boardroom. He has the respect of our staff and administration; he has the support of our board and community."

The nomination of a new superintendent was the first major item of business undertaken by the school board as members began a two-day retreat. As board members cast their "yea" votes, Chairman Fletcher announced the board's unanimous choice of McNeal. School board and staff members saluted McNeal with a standing ovation.

"This is a great honor," said McNeal, "but also a great challenge. I pledge to keep this community's collective eyes focused on our young people, our quality teachers and administrators, and on their success."

McNeal acknowledges that the school system's priorities are clear. "Achieving our high academic goal is of utmost importance," he said. "To accomplish that, we must continue to attract the very best teachers and staff, provide quality classrooms and buildings, train our principals and teachers to meet these challenges, and ensure that we maintain open lines of communication with our community."

McNeal is a native of Durham, earning his high school diploma from the old Merrick Moore High School and his undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University. McNeal earned his M.A. from Central after completing requirements there as well as coursework at Western Connecticut University. McNeal has also completed some coursework toward a doctoral degree at NC State University.

As a recent college graduate in 1971, McNeal began his teaching career at a junior high school in Danbury, CT. In 1974, he returned home to North Carolina as a social studies teacher at Raleigh's Carroll Junior High, now Carroll Middle School. His first administrative job came in 1976 when he was appointed as assistant principal at Carroll.

McNeal's first principalship was awarded in 1978 when he took over the helm at East Garner Middle. In his four years there, standardized test scores increased even as the school transitioned from being a junior high into a middle school.

In 1982, Wake school leaders named McNeal as principal of Martin Middle. There, he initiated the transformation of Martin into a Gifted and Talented Magnet School, a program that has endured for 18 years. During McNeal's tenure, the school posted the highest standardized test scores in all of Wake. McNeal was also named a Master Principal, the school system's highest school-based administrative honor.

McNeal's administrative experience broadened further in 1985 when he was named Assistant Superintendent for Administration. Responsible for 180 staff members and a budget of more than $22 million, McNeal oversaw critical school district functions such as transportation, food service, facilities, maintenance and operations, as well as safety and security. As the system's growth spurt zoomed into high gear, McNeal's title and responsibilities changed to reflect the increasing scope of his responsibility. As Associate Superintendent for Auxiliary Services, McNeal piloted some of Wake's most challenging areas through a period of great change and increasing demands.

In 1992, McNeal was named Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services, responsible for the system's curriculum, instructional practices, special programs, student services, and magnet programs. Under his leadership, Wake has implemented several groundbreaking initiatives: instituted a Diversity Plan; expanded magnet offerings, including International Baccalaureate and Montessori as well as other popular programs; and established cutting edge alternative programs such as Richard Milburn alternative high, the Bridges Day Treatment program, and Partnership Primary. McNeal implemented an "in-house" Instructional Assistance Team to provide on-site help to struggling schools and students. Most recently, McNeal's comprehensive approach to boosting student achievement - the Accelerated Learning Program or ALP - has shown significant positive results districtwide.

The appointment to Wake's number one executive position is not McNeal's first visit to the superintendent's office. The school board named him Interim Superintendent in 1995 to serve between the administrations of Dr. Robert Wentz and Dr. Jim Surratt.

McNeal will be sworn in on Wednesday, July 26, at 4 p.m. at Southeast Raleigh High.


Career Snapshot

William R. "Bill" McNeal
Wake County Superintendent of Schools
July 2000

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