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GREENSBORO — Terry Grier's leadership of Guilford County Schools over the past seven years has earned him the prestigious title of "N.C. Superintendent of the Year" and a $5,000 cash prize.

"When you receive this kind of recognition, you like to think its not all about you, it's not all about what a person does. Instead, it's a reflection on your team and on your community," Grier told attendees of the North Carolina School Board Association conference Tuesday night at the Koury Convention Center.

"There's no question that I would have no business standing here tonight and getting any kind of recognition if it weren't for those on our staff. We have excellent teachers, principals and support staff. We have the best school board in North Carolina."

Grier was chosen from among seven nominees by the state School Boards Association and Association of School Administrators who were recognized at the conference. Grier will next compete for the national award given by the American Association of School Administrators in February.

Five North Carolina superintendents have been finalists in the national competition, said Bill McNeal, executive director of the Association of School Administrators. McNeal, a former Wake County superintendent, won the national honor in 2004.

McNeal said nominees are judged based on their leadership qualities, innovative programs, student performance and community outreach efforts.

"Under (Grier's) name I would underscore 'innovative' and 'creative,'" McNeal said.

"He is highly, highly focused on all students achieving."

The organizations credited Grier with halving the high school dropout rate to 3 percent, increasing student participation in higher-level courses and formulating an incentive plan that pays math and reading teachers extra to work in low-performing schools.

At the same time, critics have often charged that Grier has a tendency to begin new projects too quickly and without enough community support.

Board of Education members have largely been pleased with his work and recently gave him his largest raise of $15,030.

Member Kris Cooke said Grier has faced unfair criticism for controversial programs he did not propose, such as a High Point reassignment plan, and projects botched by his staff, such as cost overruns at Smith Academy.

"I think he's got a tremendous challenge here in Guilford County, but I think he's worked hard," Cooke said. "It's wonderful that he's being recognized for the work that he's done."

Cooke said she considers one of Grier's greatest achievements the creation of middle colleges, a non-traditional setting that helps struggling high school students and dropouts graduate. A recently-approved evening high school and newcomer center for immigrant students were also good ideas, she said.

School board member Amos Quick described Grier as "ambitious" and "forward-thinking," making improvements in a district with more than 71,000 students and competing priorities.

But Guilford County Schools' top leader needs to address the lack of achievement among black male students and underperforming schools, provide more rigor for the district's academically gifted population and raise SAT and state test scores, Quick and Cooke said.

"I think he realizes these awards are nice to have and put on your resumé, but there's still a lot of work to be done," Quick said.

Staff Writer Ryan Seals contributed to this report. Contact Morgan Josey Glover at 373-7078 or mjosey@news-record.com