LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 29, 2007 CHAIRMAN OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DISCUSS SCHOOL ISSUES IN SANFORD SANFORD -- As debates still rage about what should be taught in public school classrooms and how educational achievement should be measured, one key state leader will visit Sanford to give his perspectives. Howard Lee, chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education, will provide an analysis of critical educational issues facing North Carolina students in "Public Education for the 21st Century." His presentation at the Committee of 100's summer luncheon will be held June 20 at Chef Paul's Cafe and Catering in Sanford. The event begins at noon and is open to the public. In the presentation, Lee says, he will discuss how the global economy and technology are changing the dynamics of education. Then, he will turn to some questions facing everyone, from parents to civic leaders: What expectations we should hold for our students, and what expectations should students have for us? Lee has plenty of perspective on education and what it takes to succeed. Growing up on a sharecropper's farm in Georgia, he probably never expected to serve as mayor of a university town, though he was elected to three terms as mayor of Chapel Hill, home of The University of North Carolina's flagship campus. But his career extended well beyond Chapel Hill. The U.S. Army veteran also served 13 years in the North Carolina Senate, where he was known as a leader for education reform, and held several positions in the educational arena. Lee has been a faculty member and administrator at Duke University, and has held other faculty appointments at North Carolina Central University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lee received his B.A. in sociology from Fort Valley State College (now Fort Valley State University) in central Georgia and the Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. All Committee of 100 meetings are open to the public; the cost, including lunch, is $15 per person for the general public and $10 per person for members. For reservations or information, contact Jane Haber at the Lee County Economic Development Corp., 919-774-8439 or info@lcedc.com. The Committee of 100 is an organization of business leaders committing time, energy and resources to enhance the economic well-being of Lee County and its citizens. Corporate and individual members assist the Lee County Economic Development Corp. by establishing venture capital projects to expand local industry, helping to promote economic growth and enhancing working relationships among government, business and the community. -- 30 -- Media Contacts Bob Heuts, Director Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant 919-774-8439 (phone) 919-775-5410 (fax) info@lcedc.com (e-mail) More on the Web LCEDC Media Web: http://www.lcedc.com/media/ This release: http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr042907.txt Howard Nathaniel Lee Mug Shot (136K JPEG, courtesy of Howard Lee) http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/releasephotos/HowardLee.jpg