HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-07-2011 - 4aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 7, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. ~j-- - a
SUBJECT: Resolution In Support of Smart Start and More at Four
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
Draft Resolution In Support of Smart
Start and More at Four
Sample Resolutions from Other Entities
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bernadette Pelissier, BOCC Chair, 245-
2130
Frank Clifton, County Manager, 245-
2300
PURPOSE: To consider a Resolution In Support of Smart Start and More at Four.
BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly during the current 2011-12 legislative
session is considering funding reductions for both the Smart Start and More at Four programs.
Margaret Samuels with Orange County Smart Start has contacted the County and requested
that the Board consider a resolution supporting the current level of funding for both programs.
A draft resolution, based on a sample resolution provided by Ms. Samuels, is attached.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the draft
resolution. The financial and other impacts of the potential funding reductions have not yet
been determined.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the draft
resolution, approve the resolution as may be modified- based on Board discussion, authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution; and direct the Clerk to the Board to forward the approved resolution
to Orange County's legislative delegation, the leaders of the North Carolina General Assembly,
and the chairs of the General Assembly's appropriations and education committees.
~ E S - ao~~- os~ 2
DRAFT
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Resolution In Support of Smart Start and More at Four
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 More at Four help create a beneficial workforce,
productivity and quality of life conditions in our state, by preventing 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 More at Four 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;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of
Commissioners, strongly recommend the North Carolina General Assembly
support the current levels of funding for Smart Start and More at Four in the FY
2011-2012 budget and future budget years.
This the 7th day of June, 2011.
Bernadette Pelissier, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
3
Resolution in Supp7rt of'R~urrent Funding for
Smart Starrt and More at Four Programs
A/1~ERI'~9.~,1hePersax Caxuety ~crarrt of Camririss~xers nectrgr~ize flx~:
• Our oourrty needs the best, mast sl.-illed employees now and in the future - employes who can crcata
new producxs~ salve complex problems and rrtotivate teaurs to excel;
• Itrsasr+ch shativs, children who enter kindergarten ready m succeed grow ba be the book-smart, team-
capable, jab-ready workers who help businesses prosper and ere the goad ueiglxbors who help
comrrtunities thrive;
• Emptayeos are able to focus on tiuir jabs. be productive and not be distracted when #reh childret are in
quality caun;
• Communities maintaining and attraping skilled emplaY~, Puce gaol customers sad sped less tax
money an expensive retnediel programs;.
• Public policies should support tlse development of ~e nerd generation of warlcers sa that they can
confinue to irutovate and lead;
• T-ligh quality early care acrd tducatia~ allows parerts to work and cantxiE»rte to the Person County
rconrnny;
t
• I#`ig6 quality early care attd edusatiau ~rpparts the early deveiagrnent and learning of young children
and assures a strung future rvorkfarce far our economy:
• Ttm Clrild Care lndus~rry in Person Caurrty repres~rts 40 small businesses and more Chart I52 full-time t
jobs that cmrtributc $9.36 million tp par local ccon~rniy;
• Smact Start and More art Ftntr cantxibute to the local economy of Person County by supporting srisall
businesses, creating jabs e~ allowing pararts to warp
• Smart Start and More at Four heap reduco de£cits acrd create surpluses in aw state by closing fhe
achieveiment 8aP and producing better outcomes in -educatipa, l-ealth, personal grodudivity and
economic Vitality,
THEIZEI~()RE, BE IZ'.R~SQ~Gi'EI}, the Person Earennty Board rrf Cartunissrorters srrpJrarl the NG
GcneraE,4sacembty to ~4iraFain ~efirndfng fur ~ixrarr start and Mare at Fatrr Pr+ogr'anrs iu the stag
ofNortlt Caraltna fur dre 2(i11~2612 budget and rr futrtre budgdyears.
Adopted tTtc 4[h day of April, 2011.
,,
' II 4 ~
Ti .._ . CIa . C~trETi'9€AH
persp_, panty . pard pl Comr~ssrrtter$
i {~ Attest;
~:J.
Brenda B, Reaves ~
_ - ,~lerli to tbue,Board
4
Resolution In Support of Smart Start and More at Four
WHEREAS, our counties need the best, most skilled employees now and in the future -ones
who can create new products, solve complex problems and motivate teams to excel; and
WHEREAS, communities that develop and retain skilled employees produce good customers
and spend less tax money on expensive remedial programs; and
WHEREAS, public policies must support development of the next generation of workers, so
that they can continue to innovate and lead; and
WHEREAS, high quality early care and education 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 unequivocally shows that children who enter kindergarten ready to
succeed grow to be job-ready workers who help businesses prosper, and good neighbors who
help communities thrive; and
WHEREAS, Smart Start and More at Four help. create beneficial workforce, productivity and
quality of life conditions in our state, by preventing the achievement gap for at risk and
underprivileged children, producing better outcomes in education, health, personal productivity
and economic vitality; and
WHEREAS, high quality early care and education facilities and programs allow parents to work
and contribute to the area economy; and
WHEREAS, the Child Care Industry in the Rocky Mount area represents 165 small businesses,
and more than 727 jobs that contribute to our local economy; and
WHEREAS, Smart Start and More at Four contribute to the local economy Down East by
supporting small businesses, creating jobs and allowing parents to work; and
WHEREAS, the Rocky Mount and Twin Counties area is committed to becoming an education
based community, and strengthening education at all levels from preschool through higher
education;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of
Commerce strongly advocates the NC State Legislature's maintenance of current levets
of funding for Smart Start and More at Four in the state budget for FY 20111201 and
future budget years