Current federal grant funding for the Head Start services offered by USD 475 are coming to an end on June 30.

Mary Kay Stauffer, Executive Director of Head Start for the District said USD 475 had to compete for funding, effective July 1,to be able to continue to offer Head Start services in the community.

“Thati s not something that we have normally had to do. But this time the present funding award that we have is ending June 30th. And that program and everything that has been funded through that program goes away as of June 30. ”

Stauffer says everything from jobs to materials comes to a close on June 30.

USD 475 did however, apply for a federal grant to continue Head Start, but has not yet learned if it will be funded through the Administration for Children and Families.

“We are negotiating now with our regional office in Kansas City. And we continue to meet with them weekly, with them asking us to do some very specific things and modifications to the grant that was submitted. I would hope that we would know something no later than the middle of July.”

Stauffer confirmed if a new grant is approved those people who want to continue working with Head Start in the future would have to reapply for those jobs. “Everyone that is employed presently by Head Start in those positions were provided with letters earlier this week just reaffirming for them that that funding does end June 30, and telling them that they can apply for other positions in the District.  And then if we are successful in negotiating for the award for the next coming five years  then we’ll be advertising those positions and they can reapply for those.”

Head Start currently serves 275 children between the ages of three and five in USD 475 on a Monday through Thursday basis during the school year, normally beginning after Labor Day and ending in late May or early June. Two sessions, morning and afternoon, are conducted each of those days.