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Commissioners press administration as county pre-K funds go unpaid; Early Head Start match at risk, presenters warn
Summary
First Five Memphis reported a Q1 pre-K status and warned county budget cuts and delayed county disbursement of FY26 funds threaten about 300 seats and wraparound services; commissioners expressed anger at administration delays and asked for immediate documentation and vendor lists.
Candace Thomas, executive with First Five Memphis, presented the quarter 1 pre-K report and budget status March 25, telling commissioners the school-year Q1 spending included roughly $2.9 million paid to pre-K operators and that the current per-pupil investment is $9,483. Thomas said the city and county had budgeted a combined $20 million for pre-K this fiscal year but that county dollars had not yet been disbursed; she said the FY27 proposed county allocation would be reduced by about 15%, which could mean cutting approximately 300 seats or trimming per-pupil supports.
Thomas added that Early Head Start requires a county local…
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