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Primetime (LEH) seeks to colocate Head Start classrooms at Fairview; offers playground upgrades
Summary
Representatives from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities told the Natchitoches Parish School Board they operate a Head Start/early-Head Start grant serving 191 students, that Natchitoches Parish has 150 slots, and asked to colocate classrooms at Fairview this fall, offering to fund some playground improvements.
Representatives from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) and its Primetime Family Reading program asked the board July 7 to approve a partnership that would place Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms at Fairview.
"We're here. We want to work closely with the district," said Pat Carrier, chief operating officer for LEH and Primetime Family Reading, introducing the group and their interest in colocating classrooms at Fairview.
Chantrell Austin, chief of staff for LEH/Primetime, described Primetime's Head Start expansion: the grant discussed at the meeting serves 191 students across the broader service area; in Natchitoches Parish the program has 150 slots (102 Head Start slots and 48 Early Head Start slots). Austin said Primetime has partnered with the district on IEP coordination and kindergarten transition and requested district collaboration to determine whether Fairview is an appropriate site.
Angel Slater, the Primetime vice-president overseeing Head Start, thanked district staff for early collaboration and said Primetime is prepared to move quickly. "We're prepared to move as quickly as putting kids in, Fairview this fall," Slater said, and added the organization would cover some playground improvements at no cost to the district.
Board members asked whether Primetime had toured Fairview and about timelines; LEH representatives said they had visited the site and have planning in place but would work with district staff to finalize details.
Why it matters: colocating Head Start classrooms can expand early-childhood access in neighborhoods with need and may affect space, transportation and service coordination. Primetime offered district support for site improvements but final approval and logistics remain subject to board review and any formal agreements.
Next steps: LEH asked the district to work with its superintendent's office to assess Fairview's suitability and return with a timeline and any required agreements.
