Kannapolis City Schools will sponsor a community reception to honor Dr. Jo Anne Byerly on her retirement. The reception will be Sunday, June 13 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. in the Old Cabarrus Bank Building. The Cabarrus Bank Building is located in Cannon Village at 201 West Avenue in Kannapolis. Community residents are invited to drop by anytime between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. to congratulate Dr. Byerly on her retirement and thank her for her many contributions. The reception will include a special 4:00 p.m. ceremony to honor Dr. Byerly.

Dr. Jo Anne Byerly has served Kannapolis City Schools as superintendent since July of 2001. However, she has been part of KCS since 1976 and has served North Carolina public education for 40 years. Under her leadership, KCS has become the only North Carolina school district to receive back-to-back IMPACT technology grants worth more than $4 million. KCS was among the first systems in North Carolina to earn District-wide Accreditation from the AdvancED Accreditation Commission, and it has the distinction of making 100% of its Adequate Yearly Progress goals in 2009. A.L. Brown High School has been recognized twice by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top high schools in the country, and two KCS schools (Forest Park Elementary and A.L. Brown High School) have earned Lighthouse Awards for excellence and innovation.

Jo Anne Byerly has formed tremendous partnerships with the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis. She was among the first people to invite scientists from the Research Campus to share their knowledge with school leaders, teachers, and students. KCS students hold science fairs at the NCRC and participate in job shadowing and internship opportunities there. In addition, Dr. Byerly has championed the construction of a new $11 million Biotechnology Academy at A.L. Brown High School. When it is finished next spring, the Academy will allow KCS to offer additional courses such as Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Horticulture, Medical Science, International Studies, and Culinary Arts. A.L. Brown already offers Honors Genetics and Biotechnology, Mandarin Chinese, AP Physics, Latin, and many other high-level classes.

Jo Anne Byerly is a member of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and currently serves on other boards including the Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Academic Learning Center, and the Cabarrus Community Foundation. She has been President of the Kannapolis Rotary Club, Chairperson of the Regional Superintendents' Council, and has served on numerous boards and committees including: the Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College Planning Committee, the Cabarrus College Health Science Chancellor Search Committee, the Board of Directors of the NC Association of Supervision and Curriculum and Development, the NC High School Exit Exam Advisory Board, the NC School of Science and Mathematics Partners Board, and the Greater Cabarrus International Reading Association.

Prior to becoming Superintendent, Jo Anne Byerly served as a teacher, Reading Director, Communication Skills Coordinator, Director of Instruction, Assistant Superintendent, and Associate Superintendent in KCS. She graduated with honors from Appalachian State University with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education, and she earned her Master of Education Degree from ASU. She holds a Doctor of Education Degree from UNC Chapel Hill.

The Kannapolis City Board of Education and staff extend a warm invitation to the community to come to the June 13 reception to honor Dr. Byerly and thank her for her many years of outstanding service to our community.

Dr. Byerly's last day with Kannapolis City Schools will be June 30. She will be replaced by Dr. Pam Cain who will begin July 1.