Who We Are
The Crossett Public Schools Education Alliance is an organization linking the community with the Crossett School District in a comprehensive program of school improvement. We are..
- A vehicle for informing the public and increasing the confidence in our school district
- Enhancing community participation in elementary and secondary education, and
- Improving the quality of education our school provides for its students.
Our Humble Beginning
William Thomas Stephens graduated from Crossett High School in the early 1960's and went on to become a highly successful business CEO. He has fond memories of childhood and his school days in Crossett and was disheartened to read the alarming statistics coming out of our current school system. In a bold gesture of support and personal commitment, Mr. Stephens took the opportunity as the keynote speaker at the Annual Crossett Chamber Banquet in January 2002 to not only voice his distress and concern, but also to offer up a generous challenge and possible solution. Mr. Stephens guaranteed $100,000 in seed money to formulate an organization that would re-energize the Crossett School System--one that would hold administration and educators to a higher standard while investing, personally, in the future of Crossett's students and their future and the future of Crossett.
Rising to meet and exceed the challenge, the following year investments were received from Georgia-Pacific Corporation ($100,000) and First National Bank of Crossett ($50,000). Following a year of research and development, the Crossett Public Schools Education Alliance was formed. Since that time, many businesses, individuals, community organizations and class reunions continue to support the Alliance in improving the quality of education for Crossett students.
Rising to meet and exceed the challenge, the following year investments were received from Georgia-Pacific Corporation ($100,000) and First National Bank of Crossett ($50,000). Following a year of research and development, the Crossett Public Schools Education Alliance was formed. Since that time, many businesses, individuals, community organizations and class reunions continue to support the Alliance in improving the quality of education for Crossett students.
Looking Toward Our Future
The Alliance is working diligently with the Crossett School District and other local and state organizations to raise the expectations and see greater results from our students and teachers. Teacher Innovative Grants are accepted twice a year to encourage our educators to think outside the box to further inspire their students or to make them more productive as teachers. The Alliance is also working with the district to identify their needs that fall outside the set grant guidelines that can be developed under special project funding.