Thursday, December 2, 2010

Dear Early Care & Education Advocates:

In response to Governor Perdue’s request for 5%, 10%, and 15% budget cut scenarios to programs for early care and education, as well as the entire North Carolina education system, it’s critical that the governor hears from you. We MUST let her know that these cuts are unacceptable and that a balanced, pragmatic approach to the state budget is necessary.

What YOU Can Do!

Click here to email Governor Beverly Perdue and tell her that our children’s education and care have been cut enough! It is time to take a balanced approach to the state budget, reduce spending and raise new revenues wisely.

Then, make sure to forward this alert to your network of supporters.

According to the North Carolina Justice Center, below are a few examples of the proposed cuts:

  • Eliminate over 5,000 teacher positions and 75% of teachers' assistants - this would mean larger class sizes for ALL children in North Carolina public schools.
  • Remove school nurses from over 200 schools across the state.
  • Cut $28 million from the Smart Start early education program, which ensures that ALL children in NC have access to high-quality early childhood care.
  • At a time when enrollment is skyrocketing, drop 1,000 community college teachers and reduce the number of courses offered.

We MUST maintain investments in our families and communities by prioritizing the public services that pave the way for their success. We all MUST pull our resources together and raise the revenue to support these vital public systems and structures before various sectors in our economy break from the strain.

Thank you for your support of our children’s early care and education!

Smart Start of Mecklenburg County

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