FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CBNO/MAC ANNOUNCES EDUCATION SUMMIT IN JUNE
Purpose is to Build Communication, Collaboration Among Education Groups
And Focus Education Resources Where They Are Needed Most

In an effort to marshal and focus community support for education where it is needed most, the Committee for a Better New Orleans/Metropolitan Area Committee (CBNO/MAC) will host an Education Summit on June 18. All nonprofit entities in New Orleans that work in education or have an education component are encouraged to participate. The purpose is to establish lines of communication and avenues of collaboration among such groups, of which literally dozens have been identified.

“There are many organizations with good programs and a strong commitment to public education in New Orleans, but they do not always know what similar groups may be doing,” said Keith Twitchell, President of CBNO/MAC. “Bringing everyone together is a way to share information, explore opportunities to work together, and begin building consensus on the top issues and priorities that need to be addressed in order to advance public education in our city.”

Mr. Twitchell urged education groups that have not yet received formal invitations to the Summit to contact the CBNO/MAC office for information. The phone number is 561-0534.

After the education groups have had a chance to come together, Mr. Twitchell emphasized that the next step would be to gather additional input from people within the New Orleans public school system, especially teachers and principals, and then to work with all components of the system to make sure that outside support is focused effectively and where it is most needed. More details on the CBNO/MAC Education Summit will be forthcoming as plans are finalized.

CBNO/MAC’s announcement of the Education Summit comes on the heels of its recent challenge to the School Board and the community to take decisive action to improve the public schools. In particular, the organization challenged the Board to consider all options for school system reform, and challenged the community – and itself – to commit to active engagement in building strong public schools.

“While we need leadership from the School Board and the superintendent, we the community are the ones who must come together to make education reform happen in New Orleans,” observed Mr. Twitchell. “We can’t wait for someone else to do it for us. We have substantial resources and expertise in our city; what we need is to work with every level of the system to make sure those resources are focused where they are needed most and can have the greatest impact.”

The Committee for a Better New Orleans/Metropolitan Area Committee (CBNO/MAC) is a diverse community organization whose purpose is to be an agent of change to improve the quality of life in New Orleans. CBNO/MAC has taken a lead role in identifying the critical issues and opportunities facing the City and has created a Blueprint for the future based on mutual trust and consensus. Its vision is for New Orleans to achieve the brightest economic future for all its citizens and to be THE City in which to live, work and do business.

-- 30 --