We are incredibly proud to share that Martin County Schools has been selected by the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners as a Civic Excellence in Innovation award winner for the second consecutive year!
Martin County Schools’ Better Together initiative was selected as a 2026 recipient of this prestigious award and is built on a simple but powerful belief: our schools are strongest when our families, community members, businesses, and educators work side by side for our students.
Through Better Together, we have created meaningful, flexible ways for busy families and community members to give back to our schools. Whether sharing a talent, volunteering when time allows, contributing resources, or simply lending a helping hand, the program makes it easier for everyone to play a part—on their schedule—and become an active partner in supporting the students and schools of Martin County Schools.
Thursday, August 20, that work was recognized on a statewide stage.
The Civic Excellence in Innovation Awards recognize outstanding county programs that find innovative ways to serve their communities, use resources effectively and create ideas that can serve as models for others across North Carolina.
Better Together was honored during the opening ceremonies of the NCACC 119th Annual Conference at the Durham Convention Center.
This recognition belongs to everyone who has said YES to being part of our schools—our volunteers, families, community partners, staff members, county leaders, and everyone who believes supporting our children is a responsibility we share.
Because when a community wraps its arms around its schools, incredible things can happen.
And Martin County continues to prove what we have believed all along:
🤝 We really are BETTER TOGETHER.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Kristi Roberson, MCS Alum, MCS parent, and vested community member, who from day one jumped at the opportunity to coordinate this effort and has done an incredible job alerting the community to our students' needs and helping meet them as blessings pour in.
Congratulations to everyone who helped turn this idea into an award-winning initiative — and, most importantly, into something that makes a difference for our students and schools every day!
Special thanks to Martin County Manager Drew Batts and Martin County Commissioners Skip Gurganus and Ronnie Smith for joining the Martin County Schools delegation for this special celebration and showing their continued support for our schools, students and community.
How can you support Better Together Martin County Schools? Follow us on Facebook. Just search Better Together Martin County Schools and watch for the opportunity best suited for you. There you will also find information on how to make financial contributions to this effort.
#BetterTogetherMCS #MartinCountySchools #MartinOffersMore #CivicExcellence #Innovation #CommunityPartnership #PublicSchools
Pictured left to right: Commissioner Skip Gurganus, Commissioner Ronnie Smith, County Manager Drew Batts, Dr. Michelle White, Supintendent, MCS; Doug Baker, Pat Nelson, Chase Conner, Renee Purvis - Martin County Board of Education and Kristi Roberson, Volunteer, Better Together Martin County Schools