Minutes 05-07-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Board considered a Resolution In Support of Smart Start and NC Pre K and authorizing the Chair to sign. Chair Jacobs referenced the pink version with two legislative amendments and asked for clarification on this. Margaret Samuels, Executive Director, Partnership for Children, thanked the Commissioners for this resolution and the support. She said that there are only 2,000 days from when a child is born until they start Kindergarten and the support of the community makes these days invaluable. She said there were updates on funding included in the packet. She said there is not a Senate or House budget so it is difficult to make projections. She said that House Bill 935 passed the House today with two amendments. She said the first amendment in the packet was to move from poverty level for children from 100% to 130%. She said the other amendment is to delay the bill until July 1, 2014. She recognized former and present board members. She said Orange County has the best early childcare in N.C. and this is because of the support of the community and elected officials. She read the revised resolution: ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RES-2013-034 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Resolution In Support of Smart Start and NC Pre K WHEREAS, Orange County needs the most skilled employees now and in the future; and WHEREAS, communities that develop and retain skilled employees excel and spend less tax money on expensive remedial programs; and WHEREAS, public policies must support the development of the next generation of workers so that they can continue to innovate and lead; and WHEREAS, high quality early care, education and services support the early development and learning of young children, and make possible the development of a strong future workforce for our community and businesses; and WHEREAS, research shows that children who enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed grow to be job-ready workers who help businesses prosper and good residents who help communities thrive; and WHEREAS, Smart Start and NC Pre K help create a beneficial workforce, productivity and quality of life conditions in our state by reducing the achievement gap for at-risk and underprivileged children, producing better outcomes in education, health, personal productivity and economic vitality; and WHEREAS, Smart Start and NC Pre K contribute to the local economy of Orange County by supporting small businesses, creating jobs and allowing parents to work; and WHEREAS, Orange County supports strong education at all levels from preschool through higher education;