Head Start will remain in business in the Salt Lake City School District -- but only until May 30.
That's when the Board of Education will terminate its Head Start contract with the Salt Lake Community Action Program (CAP). Tuesday's decision depends on agreement of a contract extension from December through May, which is likely.CAP will continue running the federally funded program for preschoolers at Matheson Head Start, 1240 N. American Beauty Drive (1030 West). But 68 district employees will have to reapply for their jobs with CAP and are likely to receive less pay due to budgeting constraints, officials said.
"I think for the children, it's a great idea," said Mary Martinez, parent of a former Head Start student and whose mother taught Head Start when the program began more than 30 years ago. "But it keeps the staff more in limbo."
Head Start is designed to help prepare low-income preschoolers to enter school ready to learn. The district has contracted with CAP to provide services to 425 district students, but CAP's program is set up in other areas, such as homeless shelters, and reaches about 1,700 students in Salt Lake and Tooele counties.
The change will mean CAP will not have a share of its annual $7 million funding flow through the Salt Lake district, which had used the money to pay for the program costs it handled.
But Salt Lake District Superintendent Darline Robles sought to terminate the contract because the district is held accountable for what goes on in Head Start, even though it shares operations control with CAP. There also is confusion about who was in charge of what.
CAP executive director Cathy Hoskins had recommended the board keep the contract in place through May, near the school year's end, so school wouldn't have to close for two weeks while staff changes were made.
CAP will need to discuss program changes with more staffers. It already has advertized for a human resource director, something they've not needed since its 68 teachers had been district employees. They also may need two more directors to ensure things run smoothly.
"Of course, our first concern has to be that the children and families are served in a very good manner," Hoskins said Wednesday. "I have been pleased with the district's operation of the program and have every bit of confidence the staff we bring on board will do an equally fine job."
CAP has not begun hiring for any staff positions, and will open up job opportunities for everyone at the same time, Hoskins said. Officials will meet Thursday with employees about upcoming changes, which will include doubling the number of specialists working with students. A parent meeting will follow.
Some parents and staff hoped the contract would stay in place and were upset they did not get a chance to offer more input. They also remain concerned about teachers' benefits packages, especially for those near retirement.
Hoskins hopes the next six months will provide time for everyone to feel confident about pending changes.
The district will give teachers some assistance in finding jobs, and they will be given opportunities to apply with the district, CAP and Workforce Services, said assistant superintendent Dolores Riley, who oversees human resources.
"We want to help as much as possible," she said. "We're going to try to help them find employment . . . and provide them with leads and opportunities for other possibilities."