Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pre K topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
La Joya ISD says Head Start of Hidalgo County will end partnership; district to assume pre-K operations
Summary
District officials told the board Head Start of Hidalgo County will not continue its partnership next school year; La Joya ISD said it will continue and expand district-run full‑day pre‑K at affected campuses, serve roughly 500 children and hold family transition sessions.
La Joya ISD leaders told the school board on April 22 that Head Start of Hidalgo County has notified the district it will not continue the Head Start–La Joya ISD partnership for the 2026–27 school year. The change affects jointly operated pre‑K classrooms at four campuses but, district officials said, does not end pre‑K in the schools.
“Head Start of Hidalgo County has notified us that they do not intend to continue with our partnership between Head Start and La Joya ISD,” said Dr. Little, presenting the superintendent’s update. He said the district will continue to offer full‑day preK‑3 and preK‑4 classrooms, and families will be invited to on‑campus transition sessions to confirm placement and next steps.
Dr. Little said about 500 children are enrolled in the district’s pre‑K programs now, and that the district has expanded pre‑K to every elementary campus in recent years. He explained that, historically, La Joya ISD provided classroom teachers while Head Start contributed teacher aides in some jointly run rooms; as the district assumes full classroom operations it will hire or reassign staff to cover all roles.
District leaders emphasized the change is operational rather than a cut in services. “Pre‑K is not going away in La Joya ISD. It is here to stay, and it will continue to be quality programming,” Dr. Little said. He added the district will continue two‑way dual language options, coaching and supports for pre‑K teachers, and summer programming for three‑year‑olds prior to the next school year.
School officials said they began notifying affected families in writing the week of April 22 and will hold meetings to walk parents through logistics, school assignments and available services. The district identified four campus locations that have housed the partnership: Kamarena, Chapa, Ford and Sigin. Officials said staffing changes are not expected to result in layoffs and that many current classroom staff will remain employed by the district as roles shift.
No formal board vote was required to receive the update; board members asked questions about family outreach and operational staffing during the presentation. The district said it will provide additional details at upcoming meetings and through direct communications to families.
