Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Head Start may need to serve fewer children

Head Start may need to serve fewer children

Dec 05, 2008 - 04:05:30 CST

By SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune

Flat federal funding could mean fewer services for Head Start in Bismarck.

Operation costs for the program surpass the funding for the program. Most of the nearly $65,000 difference is because of increases in salaries and benefits, said Laurel Nybo, the Bismarck Early Childhood Education Head Start coordinator.

"We're to the point, I don't know if we'll be able to keep up without cutting back on staff and kids," Nybo said.

The biggest chunk of the program's budget is salary and benefits, which are based on the Bismarck Public School's negotiated agreements and pay scales. Head Start uses those because the district is its fiscal agent. The program provides preschool and other child services for income-eligible families.

The program has cut programs and staff over the years to make up the difference. Now, it may need to reduce the number of children it serves, as well as cut staff.

The program receives about $1.4 million from the federal government. This is about $400,000 more than what it received in 2000. When adjusted for inflation, the amount of federal funding received today is equal to $1.1 million in 2000 dollars, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index inflation calculator.

President-elect Barack Obama made a campaign promise to increase Head Start funding. The Bismarck Head Start is planning with flat-funding in mind.

To compensate for the budget difference, the program administrators are trimming services, such as the extended day program, and will make a a new grant application that allows them to reduce the number of children it serves, while retaining funding.

"For the first time, we can reduce kids without losing money," Nybo said. "The only way to increase federal funding is by increasing the number of kids served."

The program administrators will need to develop a long-term plan that specifies how long the reduction would last and how many children would be cut from the program.

Some staff positions already have been absorbed over the years. Four years ago, the extended day program went from a teacher-run program to an instructional aide program. Now it is at risk of being eliminated.

Three years ago the education and disability manager had hours reduced, and this year the position was eliminated after the person took another job in the district. The responsibilities for that position were taken on by Nybo and a secretary.

Two years ago, the summer program was eliminated, staffing was reduced for home-based services and the outreach manager's hours were reduced. Last year, the outreach manager position was eliminated and home-based services were completed with fewer staff.

The Head Start program also eliminated its fiscal officer and transportation manager when the employee retired. For its transportation needs, it paid the district for a transportation aide.

Head Start receives in-kind services from the district. This includes transportation, its building space and a portion of the salary for some Head Start employees.

North Dakota does not appropriate money to Head Start, but 18 states, including Minnesota, provide funding for Head Start programs. There are 14 Head Start programs in North Dakota that serve almost 3,000 children between 3 and 5 years old.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@bismarcktribune.com.)

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Comments

M M wrote on Dec 12, 2008 4:54 PM:

" I am a product of the Head Start program in Bismarck. I loved it!! I was 3 or 4 learning to read and write. I felt confident and happy to be with childern my age doing fun exciting things.....and I was learning. I am a Sr Loan Officer at a Credit Union in California. I know that because of the opportunity I had when I was younger, I am successful today. I am proud to say I went to Head Start. "

Snap wrote on Dec 6, 2008 5:28 PM:

" I don't have kids! I don't care if somebody else's kid needs early childhood education! They should pay for it out of their own pockets, like daycare! I already pay for the public school system and that's enough! Cut all the funding you want Mr. Fed! "

ieduc8pk wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:43 PM:

" First of all wal- get your facts straight before you post- the HS teachers that are certified (4 year degree or more) are paid on the BPS certified staff scale. The HS teachers with 2 year degrees (it is required that they have a 2 year degree or more to teach in HS) are paid on a different scale. All of the teachers in the Bismarck HS program work very hard to enrich the lives of the children in their classrooms and deserve a fair salary and benefits.

Second of all- the article did not do justice to the HS program that we have here in Bismarck. Many things were left out and not explained entirely.There are many wonderful things that this program offers and the budget has always been an issue. Having BPS as a grantee is a wonderful benefit for the children and staff of the HS program. The staff is qualified and dedicated. Funding is an issue for every HS program across the nation- not just in Bismarck.

Also-ND taxpayer- You wouldn't want your pay and benefits cut. HS is a federally funded program. The federal goverment needs to understand how important early childhood education is and fund it properly.

Instead of criticizing the program and putting down the staff- do something to let the government officials know that early childhood education is worth it- fund it! "

ND Taxpayer wrote on Dec 5, 2008 1:52 PM:

" Is that 1.4 million for Head Start in Bismarck or for the whole state of ND? Also if the big difference in the shortfall is salary and benefits, then maybe you have to cut salary and benefits before you cut children. Maybe they don't get a raise this year or whatever else is included in benefits. "

Old BIsmarck resident wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:17 PM:

" I am grateful to have had my three boy attend the Head Start program in Bismarck when they did. This program helped me as a young mother with parent trainings and also identified my child with a learning disability. It is upsetting to hear that staff has downsized. there are great teachers from the Head Start program. "

Susan Beehler wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:08 PM:

" Head Start is a federal funded program which works. It is destressing to see wall street fat cat bankers or even the auto makers take money which could go to our kids. "

parent wrote on Dec 5, 2008 11:17 AM:

" To wal the Head Start teachers have to have a degree in teaching the same as other teachers and even more do to the fact they are teaching younger children. So with this mean they will still be closeing centers or keeping them open? What about the children that NEED the benifits head start provides, what will happen to them? "

Mandan wrote on Dec 5, 2008 11:00 AM:

" There are so many things that Head Start does for the children that I would hate to see them have to reduce the number of children they serve. They work early on with children at risk in many areas including disabled and mentally disabled not just ones in a poverty situation. In some cases though I do see this used as a daycare for parents that are not working a full time job, they do not even try. I believe if you are not going to work then you should have to stay home and work with your child yourself! Maybe they should use this as a way to reduce numbers and those parents that are at home help them with what they should be doing with their own children. Hopefully Head Start doesn't end up closed in the end because that would be horrible for the children! "

My Opinion wrote on Dec 5, 2008 9:29 AM:

" Get a new agent - get one that is in private industry and understands how to run a business. Restructure - take what you make and what you pay, figure out the difference and restructure to fit in your budget. Reevaluate fees, salaries, and benefits. Run this like a private business not a public tax-funded program. You'll end up much better off. "

wal wrote on Dec 5, 2008 9:08 AM:

" The Bismarck Head Start teachers make the same salary as teachers employed with Bismarck Public Schools, even if they don't have a teaching degree or even a bachelors degree. While I applaud their ability to do this, maybe they should take a look at this instead of cutting services to children. "

dorgan wrote on Dec 5, 2008 7:31 AM:

" give Dorgan a call, he can always find you federal funds. "

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