Memorandum from Mary Kay Murphy
Mary Kay Murphy, Ph.D. District 3  School Board Member marykaymurphy@aol.com

October 22, 2010

The Best of the Best in 2010

We sat in the first row of the Gund Garden Lobby of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In front of us, inches away on a raised stage, sat Philanthropist Eli Broad; New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg; NBC Anchor Brian Williams; and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

To our left was Philanthropist Edythe Broad who, along with her husband, has sponsored the Broad Prize for Best Urban School System in the Nation for nine consecutive years. Districts cannot apply or nominate themselves. They are judged on publicly available student performance data, site visits, interviews, and classroom observations and a stellar selection jury.

Each year, the Broad Foundation awards $2 million in scholarships to the five largest school districts that demonstrate strong student achievement and improvement while narrowing achievement gaps between income and ethnic groups. The money goes directly to graduating high school seniors for college scholarships.

Moments after 11:30 a.m. on October 19, Secretary Arne Duncan took the podium and began the countdown for the 2010 Broad Prize for Best Urban School System in the Nation. A staff member brought an envelope to Secretary Duncan. He opened the flap and reviewed its contents.

At stake was $1 million in scholarships to be awarded to graduating seniors in the Class of 2011. Four of the finalist districts would receive $250,000 in scholarships. In 2009, Gwinnett County Public School system was also a finalist for the Broad Prize and received $250,000 in scholarships for 13 students in its Class of 2010.

Our Gwinnett delegation and the rest of the packed room were hushed as we heard Secretary Duncan begin the roll call. “I will announce the name of the 2010 Broad Prize winner last.” he said.

“Ysletta,” Secretary Duncan began. Superintendent Mike Michael Zolkoski came forward.

“Montgomery County,” Secretary Duncan intoned. Superintendent Jerry D. Weast advanced to shake the Secretary’s hand.

“Socorro.” Again, Secretary Duncan spoke and another Superintendent, Xavier De La Torre, came forward and shook Secretary Duncan’s hand.

With only two names of school districts left to be announced. I said a silent prayer, “Dear Lord, please don’t let him call Gwinnett’s name.”

In what seemed to take forever, Secretary Duncan looked out at the audience and called one of the two remaining district’s names.

“Charlotte-Mecklenberg,” said the Secretary. Superintendent Peter Gorman advanced and shook the Secretary’s hand.

That left only one to be called. “Gwinnett,” said Secretary Duncan.

Amidst gasps, shouts, near screams, intense applause, joyous smiles, and controlled revelry, we watched as our Superintendent, Alvin Wilbanks, advanced to the stage in front of us, shook hands with Secretary Duncan and, with no notes, thanked those who had brought Gwinnett so very far on “The Road to Broad.”

It was a time of great pride for all in Gwinnett, but for no one more than Superintendent Wilbanks. This award was about leadership. It was about vision. It was about courage.

On October 19, 2010 in New York City at the Museum of Modern Art, the moment was all about a native of Jackson, Georgia; a school man through and through; a leader who loves his county and his country; a plain spoken man who loves teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning.

“Districts across the country should look to Gwinnett County as an example of what is possible when adults put their interests aside and focus on students,” said Secretary Duncan.

Eli Broad said, “Gwinnett County’s stable leadership and singular commitment to ensuring every student has the skills and knowledge to be successful in college and in life makes it a model for other districts around the country”

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