The possibility of Head Start re-opening the first week of December was a topic of discussion at Tuesday’s Aberdeen Town Council work session.
According to Town Manager Paul Sabiston, the town was informed earlier this year that Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency would not be renewing the lease on the building at 333 Glasgow Street, but a new agency would be contacting the town.
The Rowan Agency had run the local Head Start program for almost 25 years but encountered significant financial difficulties in the last few years. In August of this year, Raleigh based Save the Children Federation was awarded a grant to manage the program in Moore County.
The process of acquiring leases, obtaining N.C. Department of Child Development and Early Education certification and the hiring of staff has delayed the opening, to the dismay of many parents who depend on the program for their young children.
According to the website benefits.gov “Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.”
According to Sabiston, the town was contacted by Save The Children recently about obtaining use of the current facility, and the town approved the lease, but it wasn’t until last week that the arrangements were finalized.
The town is not charging anything for the use of the building. Save the Children will be responsible for insurance and upkeep on the facility. The leases run through 2024, at which time it can be renewed if so desired.
“Head Start is a great program, but we are not running the program,” said Sabiston. “We just own the building.”
~Article by Local News/Government Reporter Chris Prentice.
Contact him at [email protected] or (910) 639-9303.
