KNIGHTDALE — The Committee of 100 — a grass roots organization created to support the public schools in eastern Wake County — is taking shape.

Mayor Russell Killen and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennifer Bryan worked through e-mails, PTAs, and word of mouth to gather about 40 people interested in helping their children’s schools.

Killen said facilitator Virginia Parker, of Paragon Insurance, will help parents establish goals and get organized at the group’s next meeting the end of July.

“What we’re going to do is be an advocacy group for eastern Wake Schools and Knightdale schools and give them a voice like surrounding schools in Raleigh and Cary,” said Jeff Eddins, a town council memberman and a member of the group. “We’ve got a good student base here and we’ve got great teachers here, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t be afforded the opportunity of the rest of the county.”

Eddins said those already part of the committee want to make sure parents, community and business leaders are represented. “I think that’s a key to raising awareness out there,” he said.

Eddins said the committee will lobby the school board on issues close to eastern Wake County, but said there was no agenda yet. “For eastern Wake County to continue to be a great place to live, we all feel schools are the first place you start,” he said. Good schools with good parents is a great way to start, he said.

Killen said he will turn the reigns over to the group’s leadership once it emerges.

Plans are for the group to grow to include 100 people, he said.

He said the next meeting will be the end of July, though the date and time have not been set.