Governor Cooper visits Wilmington preschool to push for better early childhood education funding

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper visited Creative Minds Preschool, a Wilmington area school, Wednesday afternoon.

The visit was part of his push to better fund early childhood education.

“The evidence is overwhelming how important it is to that child to have quality, quality early education,” Cooper said.

Governor Cooper got to see some of that education up close and personal, as he read and painted with kids, and spoke with several teachers about their experiences.

His visit comes as he asks for more than $700 million to better fund public education in North Carolina as part of his proposed state budget.

Topsail High School assistant principal Amanda Muirhead said a lack of access to early education has caused some members of the school’s staff to choose between working and taking care of their children.

“It breaks my heart to hear some educators say that they are torn between staying home with their child or continuing to pursue their goals and career,” Muirhead said.

Cooper said investing in early childhood education will help not just kids but entire families.

“Investment in early childhood education is the triple play,” Cooper said. “In baseball, a triple play is a great play. Number 1: that child gets the education that he or she needs. Number 2: that parent is allowed to work and earn money for the family. Number 3: that employer like Topsail High School gets to hire that parent.”

Several ways the $700 million Governor Cooper is asking for would help the state include increasing teacher salaries, helping support student mental health, and adding more teachers to public schools.