Orange County NC Website
~ E S - ao~~- os~ 2 <br />DRAFT <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Resolution In Support of Smart Start and More at Four <br />WHEREAS, Orange County needs the most skilled employees now and in the <br />future; and <br />WHEREAS, communities that develop and retain skilled employees excel and <br />spend less tax money on expensive remedial programs; and <br />WHEREAS, public policies must support the development of the next generation <br />of workers so that they can continue to innovate and lead; and <br />WHEREAS, high quality early care, education and services support the early <br />development and learning of young children, and make possible the development <br />of a strong future workforce for our community and businesses; and <br />WHEREAS, research shows that children who enter kindergarten healthy and <br />ready to succeed grow to be job-ready workers who help businesses prosper and <br />good residents who help communities thrive; and <br />WHEREAS, Smart Start and More at Four help create a beneficial workforce, <br />productivity and quality of life conditions in our state, by preventing the <br />achievement gap for at-risk and underprivileged children, producing better <br />outcomes in education, health, personal productivity and economic vitality; and <br />WHEREAS, Smart Start and More at Four contribute to the local economy of <br />Orange County by supporting small businesses, creating jobs and allowing <br />parents to work; and <br />WHEREAS, Orange County supports strong education at all levels from <br />preschool through higher education; <br />NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of <br />Commissioners, strongly recommend the North Carolina General Assembly <br />support the current levels of funding for Smart Start and More at Four in the FY <br />2011-2012 budget and future budget years. <br />This the 7th day of June, 2011. <br />Bernadette Pelissier, Chair <br />Orange County Board of Commissioners <br />