Many empty seats at first Wake County schools forum

“This is new to us, we are not used to this,” said Brian Mountcastle, the lone parent at Thursday’s meeting.

School employees, parents and the public are invited to five forums around the county to voice their ideas and concerns about the district.

Some of those thoughts may end up as part of a new strategic plan for the school system.

“I may use those to help guide work with my leadership group,” Merrill said.

Mountcastle may have been the only parent at East Wake High School for the first “direct line” meeting, but it’s not due to a lack of issues in eastern Wake County. A work group was formed last year after a curriculum audit found inconsistent teacher expectations and unevenly distributed resources in area schools serving needy students.

“Get our test scores for our students up,” Mountcastle said. “We need to get our teacher enthusiasm back up.”

Mountcastle has an idea for why he was the only attendee.

“We have not had this kind of outreach historically,” he said. “Maybe the local community does not expect much.”

District leaders vowed to not give up on its community outreach.

“If we, as an administration demonstrate that it matters, they will come,” said Stella Shelton, the district’s interim chief of communications.

Broughton High School

Panther Creek High School

Southeast Raleigh High School

Wakefield High School