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Head Start teachers honored; county leaders express concern about possible federal cuts and pledge advocacy
Summary
Hidalgo County recognized two Head Start teachers as Teacher of the Year and approved several Head Start administrative items. Superintendents and the Head Start executive director warned about proposed federal cuts to Head Start funding and urged commissioners to advocate for continued support.
Hidalgo County Commissioners on April 29 presented Teacher of the Year awards to two Head Start teachers and approved administrative actions including the summer schedule, reapplying for the Texas School Ready Grant and a new policy on coordinating with state childcare inspections.
The court presented a $2,000 honorarium and a $2,000 classroom stipend to Jose Reyes (Pre‑K3 teacher, Seguin Elementary, La Jolla ISD) and Yvette Solis Benavides (Pre‑K4 teacher, Sam Houston Elementary, McAllen ISD). The teachers will attend the National Head Start Conference in Columbus, Ohio, the county said.
Superintendents Marcy Sorensen (La Jolla ISD) and Renee Gutierrez (McAllen ISD) praised the teachers’ leadership and urged continued investment in early childhood education. The Head Start executive director described program partnerships across nine school districts and emphasized that Head Start supports children from families with the greatest needs.
Speakers at the meeting raised alarms about potential federal cuts to Head Start funding. The executive director and county leaders urged the commissioners to advocate against any cuts; Judge Cortez and other commissioners publicly supported the program and asked officials to describe barriers they face so officials could help with advocacy.
The court approved reapplication to the Texas School Ready Grant, the summer staffing schedule (administration to follow school district calendars), and a new formal standard operating procedure for coordination with Texas Health and Human Services on childcare inspections and investigations.
