Dr. Ray Spain, superintendent of Warren County Schools, was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper to serve on the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council.

Gov. Cooper issued an executive order in February to reauthorize North Carolina’s council. Federal law requires each state to establish an early childhood advisory council. North Carolina’s Early Childhood Advisory Council provides leadership in the development of a premier learning and development system for children birth to age 8.

“Investing in early learning and development is essential to building a better future for our children and our state,” Gov. Cooper said in a press release. “Quality early learning gives children the opportunity to succeed in school and life, helps produce the workforce we need to drive our state’s economic prosperity, and saves taxpayers money in the long run.”

The council will focus on creating and guiding a bold early childhood action plan that aligns with other efforts to advance the state’s early childhood system; building awareness of the importance of high-quality early childhood experiences to future education and career success to ensure young children in North Carolina are learning and thriving; and recommending and advocating for policies and funding that improve equitable access to high-quality early childhood services and better outcomes for young children and families.

Dr. Spain was appointed superintendent of Warren County Schools in 2003. He began his career as a teacher’s aide in Halifax County and served as a classroom teacher, coordinator for education-related programs, and principal before becoming superintendent.