While on the Economic Development Advisory Board beginning in 2009 I assisted then ED Director Peter Bishop in discussions with several out-of-state high tech businesses about relocation or expansion into Currituck County. Then our tax rate of $0.32 per hundred was half that of the Virginia competition, our property values were lower for housing and the Maple Commerce Park was being developed using Occupancy Tax dollars to provide a convent location for new facilities. However, in each case the initial interest grew cold when they found out that Currituck County’s schools were not accredited. This information was made known to the Board of Commissioners at the time and subsequent Boards have tried to influence the Board of Education to take action in this area - but to no avail.

We will never be able to attract businesses / industries that employ high tech technicians, engineers or designers unless our schools become accredited and we work to continue to improve them. It’s a vicious downward cycle.

FIX OUR SCHOOLS