In 2003, the late Mr. Marvin Stokes, retired Byng Public Schools Superintendent, brought together a group of local business and community leaders with the common goal of enhancing academic excellence in the Byng Public School System by providing funding not available through public sources. All agreed that private investment and community support was crucial to Byng’s continued success in academic achievement, and it was Mr. Stokes’ sincere belief that, “an investment in our children provides long-term dividends.”