SAY program director leaving SCHS

Since it began more than two years ago, the Sovereign Alliance for Youth (SAY) program at South Caldwell High School has received praise for its efforts to meet the needs of “at-risk” students and helping to reduce the number of dropouts in Caldwell County.

Although it has seen some changes since its inception, perhaps the biggest change may be taking place today. According to Dr. Steve Stone, Caldwell County Schools superintendent, SAY Program Director Steve Brooks will be stepping down from his position at South Caldwell to take a job with another school district.

“I think he spoke with his students (Wednesday) morning and announced he will be leaving tomorrow (Thursday),” Stone said. “I think he is being recruited by (another school) district.”

Although Stone could not release the name of the school or district Brooks will be working for, he did say the departure was an amicable one.

“This is a good opportunity for him,” Stone said. “Steve Brooks has done great things for the program. We wish him well.”

South Caldwell High School is in the second of a two-year federal/state grant for the SAY program and recently was awarded a $150,000 grant focusing on dropout prevention. Depending on how the grant is written, some instructors can opt to take the funding with them when they leave one school system for another, but Stone said he doesn't think that will be the case in this instance.

“Grantors award (grants) to individual schools,” Stone said. “We have to review the grant to make sure there aren't any problems. I'm sure it won't be transferred with (Brooks).

Although Brooks' departure may require revisions to the grant, Stone said this is not cause for alarm.

“I'm not sure exactly where we are with the grant,” Stone said. “I would assume (this) would be a cause for a review by the grantors.”

Stone and Board of Education Chairwoman Dottie Darsie agree there still is a need for the SAY program and the benefits it offers to students in the county.

“Anything we can do within the school system to help make (students) successful and help keep them in school is always a positive,” Darsie said.

The Board of Education has praised SAY for the impact it has for local students, and Stone said there are no plans to cancel the program.

“I want to be very clear that the Board is in support of the SAY program and is really disappointed that Mr. Brooks will be leaving us,” he said. “We met at our retreat and are very supportive of the program and want to continue it. SAY will continue for the rest of the year as it is now. The Board has committed to continuing the program next year.”

Brooks could not be reached Wednesday, and South Caldwell Principal Mike Peake was not available for comment.

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