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APEX, N.C. – Wake School Board members spent the day at a workshop defining their mission, values and goals.

The board, along with Superintendent Tony Tata, attended a day long retreat in Apex. Much of the morning was spent squaring away wording for the mission, vision and core belief statements.

The school officials say spending time on the statements wasn't just a diction debate.

Board Member Chris Malone said, "You have to stop and think about what it is that you're writing and what message you're trying to get out to the citizens because this is their school system, and you want to make sure you're clear."

Tata says the workshop also aimed to help school board members build consensus as they work on issues like the school assignment plan and a tight budget.

Tata also said he and his staff are also looking at the school reassignment plan and an alternative plan, the "Wake Choice Plan", which was proposed by the Wake Education Partnership and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

"I'm getting the input of the people who are grinding this thing out every day," Tata said. "My smartest people that understand all the complexities of the issues about assignment and the impact of moving children, etc. So that's the first step."

The board says they hope writing out their shared vision will help them move forward on controversial issues together.

The retreat was funded by the Broad Superintendents Academy.