The Iredell County Board of Commissioners approved several proclamations and a resolution on April 7 to highlight key community services and initiatives for the month of April.
These recognitions aim to raise awareness about public safety, education, emergency communications, and child welfare in Iredell County. The Board encouraged residents to participate in activities that support these areas throughout the month.
The Board proclaimed April 12-18 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, honoring the dedication of 9-1-1 dispatchers and emergency communications personnel who serve as critical first responders. Additionally, April was established as National 9-1-1 Education Month to inform the public about appropriate use of the emergency system and modern communication technologies. Efforts will focus on educating residents about when to call 9-1-1 and what information is needed during emergencies.
National Library Week will be observed from April 19-25 with the theme “Find Your Joy.” Residents are invited to visit local libraries to explore resources and attend programs that foster personal growth. The library’s role in supporting education comes at a time when student readiness remains an important topic: Of 2,140 junior students taking the science portion of the ACT in Iredell County school districts, 616 (28.8%) were considered ready for college in the 2022-23 school year according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. For seniors, out of 1,980 students taking science on the ACT, only 534 (27%) met college readiness benchmarks according to state data.
Reading scores show similar trends: Of juniors tested on reading for the ACT exam last year, only about one-third—795 out of 2,140 (37.2%)—were deemed ready for college as reported by state officials. Among seniors taking reading portions of the ACT exam last year in county schools, just under two-fifths—729 out of nearly two thousand (36.8%)—met college readiness standards according to official data. Math results were slightly lower; among juniors taking math sections on their ACTs last year across district schools only around a quarter—541 out of more than two thousand (25.3%)—were considered prepared for higher education work based on state reporting, while senior math readiness stood at just over one-quarter or roughly one-in-four students: specifically there were only five hundred nineteen such cases among almost two thousand tested (26.2%) according to available figures.
April is also recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month. In partnership with local organizations such as Pharos Parenting and Children’s Hope Alliance among others named by county officials during their meeting this week—the Board emphasized campaigns focused both on prevention strategies against abuse or neglect plus broader efforts promoting children’s well-being within families throughout Iredell County.
The Iredell County Board invites all residents “to participate in these observances and support initiatives that enhance safety education—and well-being—for our entire community.” These efforts reflect ongoing challenges faced by local youth but also signal continued commitment toward improvement.