while dr. grier has served as the superintendent across six states he has experienced the public education situation from all levels. a graduate of vanderbilt and as a teacher, a coach and a high school principal. i first met him in 2000 when he was the superintendent of my hometown of the gilford county in north carolina. i happen to represent that county in the state senate at the time. during that eight years, dr. grier led the district as it cut the dropout rate in half to less than 3%, increased the high school graduation rate from 63% to nearly 80%. received one of the -- and the center for creative leadership to help train the leaders and as we know today, early college institutes across the country wildly seen as one of the most effective ways to steer our low income students on a path to success. then dr. grier continued his track record in san diego where he helped reduce the dropout rate by 50% and increase scores on the california standards test to all-time district highs. in 2009, dr. gr