In-Harmony

Adult Spelling Bee (Nov. 10, 2009)

Saturday with AJ

WEP Supports Teachers

Career Day

Links of Interest

KEEPING TABS

UNDERSTANDING OUR SCHOOL BUDGET

Related Sites

Wilson County Schools www.wilson.k12.nc.us

Donors Choose
www.donorschoose.org

NC Report Cards
www.ncreportcards.org

NC Teacher Working Conditions
www.northcarolinatwc.org

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
www.ncpublicschools.org

Public School Forum of NC
www.ncforum.org

Public Education Network
www.publiceducation.org

About Us

The Wilson Education Partnership was originally formed as the Wilson County Education Foundation in 1989. The Foundation was organized to raise funds to promote and enhance the educational program in Wilson County Schools. Programs included mini-grants, student scholarships, awards for staff excellence, retiree recognition and recognition of student academic achievements.  

In 1991, the Chamber of Commerce's Business and Education Development Committee initiated a plan to develop a partnership between business and education with the intent of capturing and focusing all efforts toward advancing education in areas where improvements were needed. The Business and Education Partnership (BEP) coordinated an economics education program in the schools, recognition of vocational education students and the Adopt-A-School program.  

 In 1993, the Education Foundation and BEP merged, becoming the Wilson Education Partnership (WEP). The merger unified two community groups to provide a more focused alignment of community resources toward improving local public schools. Today the WEP is made up of business leaders who work hand-in-hand with educators to provide every student with a top-quality education. By providing financial support, leadership and professional expertise, the WEP plays an important role in a variety of educational functions and activities.

WEP operates as a local education fund (LEF). LEF's began across the country in the early 1980's with the primary mission of raising funds from the corporate sector to provide additional funding for schools. About half of the school systems in North Carolina have some type of LEF in place today as a support group. While some LEF's are still involved in fundraising and grants to some extent, the trend is for them to be increasingly involved in education advocacy and school reform. This trend is true for the Wilson Education Partnership as state, national, and global issues continue to impact both our local schools and our local businesses.