Over the years, more than 8,000 of you have contacted me by fax, phone, letter, and community meetings to let me know your views on important issues.  I listened to what you said and worked hard to address your concerns.

TOGETHER, we have made many great things happen for Gwinnett County Public Schools--and for each of the schools in District 3.

The work of the first three terms is not complete. To continue the course we set in 1996, my vision is based on "Building World Class Schools - One Student at a Time."

My commitment as District 3 School Board Member is based on the following issues:

  • All children can learn;
  • Public schools must serve all students;
  • Teachers are leaders, principals are leaders of leaders, and parents are the first teachers of children;
  • Business and civic leaders are vital partners in the vision and business of public education;
  • All Gwinnett County residents have a stake in public education--those with students in the schools and those with no students in the schools;
  • Educated students become productive citizens.

For nearly twelve years I have been involved, visible, and dedicated as an advocate for public education in Gwinnett County.  I have tirelessly devoted myself to earning your trust and representing your interests for:

FISCAL RESPONSIBILTY - I have worked with other members of the Gwinnett County School Board to reduce bond indebtedness by $200 million, increased bond ratings from Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s from AA to AAA for the 2008 budget of $1.9 billion, opened DEBT FREE nearly thirty new schools, WHILE NOT RAISING PROPERTY TAXES.

SAFETY AND SECURITY - We kept our 24,000 employees and nearly 160,000 students safe and secure in a national climate of violence, vandalism, and threats to personal safety

FAIRNESS - After hearing your concerns, I championed an AUTOMATIC APPEAL PROCESS for the Gateway Tests for 4th and 7th graders so that a single measure DOES NOT determine if a student passes, fails, or is promoted;

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE – In 2008, the average SAT score of Gwinnett County Public Schools exceeded the Georgia average by 52 points and was 13 points above the national average.

INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS - We made sure no students "fell through the cracks" by funding LOCAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS for ALL students, including $4.5 million yearly in District 3 for gifted, International Baccalaureate programs for Norcross High School, Pinckneyville and Summerour Middle Schools, and in 2008-09 for Peachtree Elementary School, as well as for special education, newcomers, and international students, among others.

OVER $200 MILLION IN DISTRICT 3 BUILDINGS AND RENOVATIONS - We opened the new Norcross High School AND athletic facilities ONE YEAR EARLY—in
AUGUST 2001—and completed $13 million in renovations to Duluth High School in 2005, while opening the new $8.6 million Chesney Elementary School and the $12 million replacement Duluth Middle School in August 2004. 

DEBT RELIEF FOR ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUBS AND PARENTS - In 2008, the Gwinnett County Board of Education completed repayment of debt incurred over the years by Booster Clubs and parents whose personal financing built and renovated athletic facilities when school system funds were not available.  This initiative removed such indebtedness from the books of each one of our local high schools—including Norcross High School and Duluth High School—and allowed Booster Clubs to move forward to fund operations only and not current capital projects related to the Gwinnett County School System athletic program.

IMPROVED STUDENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMIDST PHENOMENAL GROWTH - We grew from 84,000 in 1996 to nearly 160,000 in 2008, while Gwinnett County Public Schools educated students to a level recognized as among the best in Georgia and in the nation.  We did this while our student and family socio-economic and poverty levels changed sharply.  

CHAMPIONED TRANSPARENCY AND OPEN COMMUNICATION – To further understanding and collaboration with community members, I have worked tirelessly to build civic capacity in support of public education.  Every month, I have written columns to provide insight into District 3 education programs in two publications—including The Weekly.com(www.theweekly.com) and Inside Gwinnett (www.insidegwinnett.com). 

I have participated in community meetings, including the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association; school council meetings in District 3; academic and athletic events at local schools; special events including graduations, promotion ceremonies, Boy Scout Eagle Scout ceremonies; parades such as the Duluth Fall Festival; and community events such as the Norcross and Duluth July 3 Celebrations.

Also, I have participated in important community meetings led by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce “Partnership Gwinnett” initiative; and fact-finding meetings with Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce leaders to Fairfax, Virginia, Plano, Texas, and Raleigh, North Carolina (scheduled for October 2008).

I have advanced open communication and transparency to District 3 through my leadership in state-wide and national organizations that focus on student academic achievement and community economic development. 

  • I was elected to the Board of the Georgia School Boards Association in 2005 to represent all public schools in Gwinnett County, Fulton County, the City of Atlanta, and Buford.
  • I have served on the GSBA Executive Committee, Federal Relations Network, and Delegate Assembly Committees.
  • I was re-elected to a second three-year term on the GSBA Board for the period 2008 to 2011.
  • My service to public education extends to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of

Commerce Regional Education Committee and its Advisory Board.  I became a member of the Committee in 2005 and serve on the Workforce sub-committee.

I HAVE BROUGHT A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO COMPLEX ISSUES AND WORKED HARD TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF NEARLY TWO BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN TAXPAYERS' MONEY.

I AM PROUD OF MY RECORD OVER THE LAST TWELVE YEARS.  YOU SPOKE, I LISTENED, AND TOGETHER WE MADE A DIFFERENCE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION IN GWINNETT COUNTY.

District 3 now includes all schools in the Duluth and Norcross Clusters and two schools in the Peachtree Ridge cluster.

The District 3 schools are as follows:

  • Elementary Schools - Beaver Ridge, Berkley Lake, Chattahoochee, Chesney, B. B.Harris, Mason, Norcross, Peachtree, Simpson, Stripling;
  • Middle Schools - Duluth, Hull, Pinckneyville, Summerour;
  • High Schools - Duluth, Norcross
  • Specialty Schools  - Buchanan School of Technology, Monarch School.

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, GIVE Center West.

With your help and support, we can continue to work together for the best interests of ALL STUDENTS in Gwinnett County Public Schools.

I look forward to returning for a fourth term representing you on the Gwinnett County Board of Education.  I earnestly seek your vote on November 4, 2008, and pledge to you my continued commitment to work with you for the good of public education.

Since my first days as a public school teacher in Moultrie, Georgia, over thirty years ago, educating our children has been my highest priority.

Issues facing the Gwinnett County Public Schools, and especially District 3, are important to me.  I want to know your concerns. Please sign the guest book and tell me why you visited today.

Thank you,

Mary Kay Murphy

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