45°
Dudley Williams is trying to use the financial might of General Electric to improve the quality of public education in Stamford. Williams, who has worked his way up through the ranks of public education advocacy and support, oversees GEs $15.3 million Developing Futures grant to Stamfords public schools.
Weve done well in many areas, he said, but the job is far from over.
The 56-year-old former Stamford Board of Education president says, Like many parents, I got involved in schools because I wanted my son to have the best opportunities possible.
Williams first started attending School Board meetings when budget cuts were planned that would have impacted the Special Ed classes his son was taking at Toquam Magnet School.
Encouraged by family and friends -- Williams is married to Juanita James, Stamfords Citizen of the Year in 2009 --
he ran for a seat on the Board of Education and served for 10 years, twice being elected president.
Williams first career was in publishing, but his success in public education led him to the State Department of Education, where he became immersed in achievement gap issues that plague not just Stamford but the entire country.
Weve got a situation here in our state where almost 40 percent of our low-income high school students dont graduate. Its everyones responsibility to make sure that public education is doing the job it needs to do, he says.
In his role at GE, Williams oversees Stamfords participation in the GE Foundations Developing Futures in Education program -- a five-year, $150 million investment aimed at improving student achievement in six urban school districts.
It was recently announced that the GE Foundation has extended an additional $10 million to Stamford schools due to improved scores and positive results in reaching achievement goals.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
