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Board approves temporary local support for Head Start as federal funding stalls
Summary
Facing a delay in federal Head Start funds due to a government shutdown, the Dothan board voted to provide temporary local support estimated at approximately $220,000–$300,000 per month while monitoring developments.
The Dothan City Board of Education voted Oct. 21 to provide temporary local support to the federally funded Head Start program after a federal government shutdown delayed distribution of operating funds.
Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew told the board that Head Start is fully federally funded and that the district would consider short-term local assistance to maintain program operations while federal funding is delayed. He estimated the cost to the district at approximately $220,000 to $300,000 per month and said the district’s ability to sustain such support depends on the length of the shutdown.
"The program needs the temporary support of the school system with local funds at an estimated cost of approximately $220,000–$300,000 per month," Dr. Askew said. He added that the district has provided short-term support in past funding delays but that the current shutdown’s duration will determine how long Dothan can continue assistance.
The board approved the temporary-support motion unanimously, and Dr. Askew said the matter will appear as an action item for approval at regularly scheduled meetings until the federal disruption is resolved.
Board members asked for ongoing updates and emphasized monitoring the program’s fiscal status and the district’s budgetary ability to provide continued support. The board did not specify an exact monthly appropriation in the motion; the estimate provided by the superintendent was included in the meeting discussion.
