Officials from five counties met in Hamlet Thursday to discuss how to keep students in schools. Attendance reached more than 100 people who have an impact on the public schools systems.

Thursdays graduation summit was held at the Cole auditorium that included educational and community leaders from Richmond, Scotland, Anson, Hoke, and Montgomery County.

The primary purpose of this summit was to begin an initiative to increase community support in the school systems. Communities in Schools is an organization that helps bring resources, services, parents, and volunteers into the school system.

“We must recognize there is no precise answer for solving the dropout crisis,” said Linda Harrill, president and CEO of communities In Schools of North Carolina.

Communities in Schools establishes after school programs, school supply drives, computer learning centers in underdeveloped areas, mentors, and graduation programs to help students in schools.

Retired school administrator and past director of school improvement for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, Marvin Pittman spoke at the event. Pittman explained that it is crucial to realize that students come to school with needs and if the community can help tackle those needs, then students can come to school ready to learn.

After the presentation, school officials and community stockholders gathered with their counties to begin creating action plans to implement greater community support.

“We are trying to find out about interest in Richmond County and start a Community In Schools pilot program,” said Dr. George Norris, superintendent of Richmond County Schools.

Richmond County Schools drop out rate has fallen 33 percent in the past two years. Administrators attribute a lot of the decrease to the schools realignment gave students other options.

Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at cquick@yourdailyjournal.com.