Thanks, Dr. Jeffrey Booker, for your service
There is a well-known quote you may have heard from a motivational speaker, minister, or even your parents, that states “Always leave a place a little better than you found it.” This is the perfect adage to describe the positive legacy that Dr. Jeffrey Booker is leaving behind as he departs Gaston County Schools at the end of June.
When Dr. Booker was named Gaston County Schools superintendent in 2014, he was entrusted with a very strong school system to grow and enhance, and he has done just that. From the very beginning, he utilized his leadership and expertise to create a strong team that was focused on doing what was best for the students, staff, and parents of GCS. In his role, has always been willing to go above and beyond, to fight for our school system, and to give credit to those educational professionals around him.
Prior to being named superintendent, Dr. Booker served as Deputy Superintendent of Operations for five years, and was responsible for the planning, construction, and opening of one of North Carolina’s premier high schools, Stuart W. Cramer High School. Dr. Booker did not stop there, but strove to make all of our schools better than he found them modernizing many schools and facilities not just visually but also with current technology.
His goal of making Gaston County Schools a better place, is also evidenced by the dramatic increase of School Choice and Career Technical Education options for students from elementary to high school. Students and their parents can now choose the academic path that best suits their interest ranging from an elementary Performing Arts Academy, middle school STEAM Academy, to a high school Gaston College of Medical Sciences. Many of the high school options allow a student to leave GCS with dual credit and certification to begin a career immediately.
The biggest challenge for all of us, school systems included, was the Covid pandemic of 2020 which led to virtual learning across the nation. Dr. Booker and his team quickly created an enhanced Virtual Academy to meet the needs of our students. After 2020, many school systems opted to offer only virtual school, but knowing that many students learn better in person and to provide our students with the best educational options, Dr. Booker pioneered a plan unlike any other. Along with the Virtual Academy, Gaston County Schools initiated an AB Plan allowing half of the students to attend school at one time creating an important in-person option in a safer environment.
Dr. Booker not only led Gaston County Schools, but was also a leader in the Southwest Region comprised of nine Charlotte area counties. Because of his contributions, the nine superintendents selected Dr. Booker for the prestigious honor of Southwest Region Superintendent of the year in both 2016-2017 and 2022-2023.
These are just some of the many positive contributions Dr. Booker pioneered during his tenure as Gaston County Schools superintendent. As a leader, he has been very humble, caring, and constant with his faith, family, and belief in our school system, community, and our employees.
As he prepares to leave, we thank him for his leadership, dedication, and expertise and wish him continued success in his next challenge. His rich legacy shows that when encouragement meets opportunity, there is no stopping the road to success. Dr. Booker’s encouragement has paved a road that Gaston County Schools will continue to follow!
Lee Dedmon, Gaston County Board of Education member
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Thanks, Dr. Jeffrey Booker, for your service
