Geary USD 475 has released a statement on the transition of the Head Start program.

The District’s Communications Coordinator Hugh Davis reported that on June 9 the USD 475 Board of Education voted to withdraw its application for Head Start and expand the District’s early childhood program. Monday ( June 23 ), the Community Development Institute Head Start ( CDI HS ), and USD 475 met to discuss the transition of the Head Start program from the school district.

The decision to expand the district program was based on a series of factors including uncertainty of the federal Head Start grant award, the mission and vision of the National Head Start program no longer aligning with the early childhood program of Geary USD 475,  continuation of employment and benefits for current Head Start employees within the district, and ensuring long-term continuity of the services to the children in Geary County.

The transition of the Head Start program from USD 475 to the interim Grantee, CDI HS, will occur after June 30th. Additional communication with families will be shared later this week about the transition and the options available to families. Based on a community assessment there are more than 400 children that would qualify for Head Start services. The need is greater than what Head Start would be able to place.  With both organizations in place it would provide space for all qualifying children to learn and grow. Those students that have enrolled for 2014-15 will be eligible for the USD 475 program.