Memorandum from Mary Kay Murphy
Mary Kay Murphy, Ph.D. District 3  School Board Member

Is Gwinnett County Losing Its Luster?

   Jim Maran, new President and CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, recently answered questions regarding his assessment of Gwinnett County. 
   "When people have a bone to pick with the County, it often involves congested roads and overcrowded schools," said Journalist Brian Feagans. "Are you concerned that some of the luster could be coming off Gwinnett?" 
   "I don't think any of the luster is coming off Gwinnett," Jim Maran replied. "I think we're positively reacting to the population growth. There's very much good coming to Gwinnett as opposed to any negatives. Our population growth has been huge. I think people, from my view, deserve a big compliment because they've managed so well."
   As District III School Board member, I agree with Jim Maran. If anything, from my perspective, the luster is intensifying in West Gwinnett County's communities and schools in Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Berkeley Lake, and Duluth. Many leaders in these areas deserve compliments and thanks for their commitment to building and revitalizing communities to reflect and celebrate diversity, growth, and entrepreneurship.
   Compliments to Duluth's community and municipal leaders whose initiative brought about the luster of the Duluth Green. Its central location attracts residents and visitors for an array of community events, including the recent Town Pep Rally before the annual Duluth-Norcross High School Football Game. The Town Green is but the first in a decade-long parade of improvements planned by Duluth's visionary community leaders. 
   Compliments, as well, to leaders of the Duluth Fall Festival and Parade that provides a rallying point for celebrating the achievements of students in Duluth Cluster Schools, including Chattahoochee, Berkeley Lake, and B.B. Harris Elementary Schools, Duluth Middle School, and Duluth High School. 
   Adding to the luster of Duluth are significant public school construction projects, including the Duluth Replacement Middle School located on Pleasant Hill Road. The 2,000-student facility is set to open in August 2004. Visuals of the new school will be on display at the Duluth Fall Festival as well as on the Duluth Middle School Web Site.
   Duluth High School's construction projects add excitement and vigor to the community's future vision. Warm weather has helped stimulate construction of the two Duluth High School additions to be opened in fall 2004 and winter 2005. Also adding luster to Duluth is the new Chesney Elementary School. Construction is underway on Old Peachtree Road, with the new school scheduled to open in fall 2004. 
   Moving to Norcross and Peachtree Corners, we lavish compliments on the parents and community members who forged the recent, remarkable, inaugural celebration of "A Taste of Norcross" at Norcross High School. Luster was definitely embellished when-for the first time ever-leaders of the communities used the high school's facility and central location as a platform to bring together parents and other community members for a spectacular event. 
   "A Taste of Norcross" featured food, fellowship, culture, performing arts, cuisine, and wares from the area's fine restaurants, merchants, and sports facilities. The event introduced 27 distinctive restaurants in the Norcross and Peachtree Corners communities to more than 4,000 adults and children who patiently waited their turn to sample some of the best food on the nation and to listen to the combined choirs and orchestras of Norcross Cluster Schools.
   A Silent Auction, organized by parents and other community members of the Booster Clubs at Norcross High School, snaked its way throughout the entire first floor of the 425,000 square foot building and featured distinctive items that generated $60,000, along with ticket sales, to support student programs. 
   Others luster-enhancing efforts in the Peachtree Corners and Norcross areas include the upcoming Norcross Fall Festival and Parade. This community event provides a platform to salute and celebrate students and bands from Norcross Cluster Schools, as well as merchants and municipal leaders behind revitalization of the Norcross community. 
   In complimenting those who positively manage growth, we direct a very big nod to Gwinnett County Public School's Office of Planning that routinely provides accurate enrollment projections for the largest school system in Georgia. Each year, Gwinnett County enrolls 25% of ALL students new to the State's 180 school districts. 
   The luster generated by accurate projections of school enrollment is due largely to the efforts of Greg Stanfield and his team in the Office of Planning. Mr. Stanfield projected 128,773 students for fall 2003, up from 123,110 students in fall 2002. In fact, 128,856 students enrolled in fall 2003-a difference of only 83 students-for an accuracy projection rate of 0.06%.
   CEO Jim Maran believes people in Gwinnett County who positively manage population growth deserve a big compliment. He stands by his view when he says, "I don't think any of the luster is coming off Gwinnett." 
   Thanks to those in Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake who-amidst explosive population growth-are leaders in protecting the luster of Gwinnett County's community institutions and in reinventing the meaning of "bringing the community together." 
   Your District III School Board member salutes you! 

091703

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