The Wake school board meets tomorrow (Tuesday). A day later, the YWCA and WakeUP Wake County are co-hosting a community forum on school issues. For the activists, it’s a chance to compare notes with each other and board member Keith Sutton. For those concerned about the schools who haven’t been active as yet, it’s a chance to make some acquaintances — including Mr. Sutton — and get in on the ground floor of the still-forming “Great Schools in Wake Coalition.”

The forum starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the YWCA, 554 E. Hargett St., Raleigh — five blocks east of Fayetteville Street on Hargett.

A press release with more details is below the fold.

Concerned About Wake Schools?

YWCA and WakeUP to Host Community Forum

RALEIGH, N.C. – On Wednesday, December 16, the YWCA Greater Triangle and

WakeUP Wake County will host a community forum featuring Keith Sutton of the

Wake County Board of Education. This open public forum includes a question

and answer session about the critical issues that face the Wake County

Public School System and the Board of Education. It takes place from 6:00 –

7:30 p.m. at the YWCA in downtown Raleigh.

Join the YWCA and WakeUP Wake County for this free community forum.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about

the recent board transition and how it may impact schools and communities.

The discussion is expected to include:

1.) Diversity, school assignment, and other critical issues facing area

schools;

2.) Background information about the Board of Education;

3.) How citizens can be strong advocates for equality for all students.

“We hear questions and concerns from area citizens about the impact of

recent changes to the Wake County Board of Education. We feel it is

beneficial to the community to offer an open forum for citizens to engage

Board Member Keith Sutton, who has graciously agreed to participate,” said

Folami Bandele, executive director, YWCA Greater Triangle.

This community forum is sponsored by the YWCA Racial Justice program, which

works at a grassroots level to improve race relations in the community.

Through small-group dialogue, education forums and taskforces, the YWCA

engages citizens in activities that promote equality and diversity. This

event is open to the public, with light refreshments and childcare for kids

ages 5-12 provided free of charge.

Date: Wednesday, December 16

Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Location: YWCA at 554 East Hargett Street, downtown Raleigh

Information: Bridgette Burge; bburge@ywcatriangle.org; (919) 828-3205

The YWCA draws together women and men who strive to improve the social and

economic conditions that affect girls, women and their families. Established

locally in 1923, YWCA programs address disparities that still exist in

health, education and economics to make life-changing differences for

thousands of area families. These programs are represented through the

YWCA’s four core initiatives: Women’s Empowerment, Racial Justice, Youth

Development, and Health and Wellness. As a private, non-profit organization,

the YWCA is dedicated to promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for

all people. http://www.ywcatriangle.org.

WakeUP is a nonpartisan group of citizens concerned about the future of Wake

County whose mission is to educate members, the public, and government

officials about growth and development issues affecting quality of life.

WakeUP advocates on behalf of members and follows the actions of municipal

governments, the Wake County Commissioners, and the state legislature as

each pertains to sustainability. The vision of WakeUP is to ensure that Wake

County is healthy and competitive in the long run by advocating for better

management of growth in the region. http://www.wakeupwakecounty.org