Children First launches photo petition campaign over education cuts

From Children First NC:

(Asheville, NC) In the face of potential state budget cuts, more than 100 North Carolinians have shown their support for education funding via the Success Equation Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SuccessEquation).

The Success Equation (an initiative of Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County) created the photo petition asking people to pose with a sign that reads “Support Education from the early years to graduation.” Children First/CIS will send a link to the Facebook page to legislative leaders and Governor McCrory on June 28. Specifically, Children First/CIS is asking NC legislators and the governor to support funding for: an additional 5,000 children in NC Pre-K; teacher assistants; classroom teachers; and keeping class sizes at current levels.

“Every North Carolinian has a stake in the budget and tax reform negotiations happening in Raleigh. With this Facebook photo petition, we wanted to show legislators the faces of those that support investment in education from the early years to graduation,” states Greg Borom, Children First/CIS Director of Advocacy.

Children First/CIS is also asking NC Legislators and the governor to maintain current eligibility requirements for NC Pre-K. “NC Pre-K provides high quality, early learning experiences for at-risk four-year-olds so that they can enter public schools ready to succeed,” notes Borom.

Local school districts have dealt with state budget cuts in recent years that have already impacted classrooms. Proposed cuts in this year’s budget process would continue to reduce educational staff – both teachers and teacher assistants. Without dedicated state funds, local school districts are unlikely to ensure that class sizes don’t grow.

Regarding the abundance of local support for the photo petition, Borom states, “We hope that this campaign will connect people in our region who support education to pay close attention to what is happening in Raleigh. We also hope that our leaders in Raleigh will take this message to heart and reverse course on proposed cuts to our education system.” The photo petition remains open through the legislative session.

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