Lee Early College

SANFORD, NC - Lee County Schools kicked off the new school year during a district-wide Convocation meeting by launching a major new initiative, Thrive in Lee, a new strategic plan to guide the district through 2030.

Surrounded by over 1000 employees from all of the district’s 17 school campuses, central office, and operational departments, Dr. Chris Dossenbach highlighted the district’s direction and shared commitment to ensuring every student is equipped to grow, achieve, and thrive.

“A strategic plan is not just a checklist. It is not just a binder that sits on a shelf,” Dossenbach announced. “It is our collective commitment – a roadmap for where we are going, how we will get there, and what matters most along the way.”

He added, “These values – accountability and growth, safety and security, integrity and respect, resilience and grit – are the heart of who we are and who we are becoming. They are not just words we put on posters. They are what we live. They are how we lead. They are what will guide us as we help every student, in every school, every day – Thrive in Lee.”

The Strategic Planning process for the district was led by Stefanie Clarke, the Executive Director of Accountability, Planning, & Performance. Together with a team of community members, school leaders, teachers, and parents, Clarke and the Strategic Planning Committee embarked earlier this year to assess strengths, weaknesses and opportunities that would lead to focused discussion of priorities and growth areas for the district.

After months of meetings and planning, the committee put forward a plan that highlighted four priority areas and seven total goals. Thrive in Lee will push each district school and employee to focus on four key areas:

1. Student growth, achievement, and future focused-pathways

2. Comprehensive student well-being, safety, and resilience

3. Operational efficiency and long-term sustainability

4. Strengthen human capital pipeline and retain quality educators