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Caroline school board approves $406,000 Head Start playground application and affirms preschool will stay in current schools
Summary
After extended discussion about facilities and program continuity, the Caroline County School Board voted unanimously to keep preschool classes in their existing elementary-school locations and to submit a $405,990.11 Head Start supplemental application to expand preschool playgrounds at three elementary sites (option 1).
The Caroline County School Board voted unanimously Thursday to keep preschool (Head Start) classrooms in their current elementary-school locations and to submit a Head Start supplemental application seeking $405,990.11 for playground renovations.
The vote followed a detailed presentation by the division’s Head Start lead on the supplemental funding window and proposed playground options. “Head Start has an open window until June 1 for programs to apply for supplemental funding,” the presenter said, adding that the funds may be used for playground installations or upgrades.
Board members and staff discussed two application options: renovating and expanding fenced preschool play areas at Bowling Green, Madison and Lewis & Clark elementaries (option 1), or building one large center-based playground to serve multiple classes (option 2). The Head Start presenter said existing fenced preschool playgrounds currently “can only safely accommodate one classroom at a time” and are not ADA-compliant for children with disabilities.
Staff provided vendor quotes used in the application: Bowling Green Elementary — $130,415.55; Madison Elementary — $148,168.04; Lewis & Clark — $127,406.52, for a combined request of $405,990.11. The alternate single-site new-playground quote was $395,835.07; staff said they built the application to the larger total so funds could cover either outcome.
Board members pressed staff on timing, ADA compliance, and how a future facilities decision (including potential creation of a preschool center) would affect any awarded funds. The Head Start presenter said the division had asked the federal program specialist about timing and believed award funds would need to be spent within about 12 months after award, but that the office had not yet provided a firm written deadline.
Several board members argued it would be prudent to apply now because the supplemental funds are discretionary and may not be available in future years; others said the board should not submit an application without firmer facility decisions. To remove uncertainty about locations if funds are awarded, Board Member Lydell Fortune moved that preschool remain in current elementary school sites for the upcoming school year; the board approved the motion unanimously.
After that motion, the board approved the Head Start supplemental playground application tied to option 1 (renovate/expand playgrounds at the three elementary sites) by voice vote, with all members recorded as voting aye.
The board and staff left open implementation details depending on actual award amounts and final facility decisions. Staff said if a smaller award is made, the project scope would be scaled back; if a preschool class later moves, funds allocated for a site would be reallocated but could require equipment removal or project redesign.
Board discussion and votes occurred in open session; the motion to keep preschool in its current locations passed by recorded vote and the playground application (option 1) was approved by recorded vote.
