By JIM BUTLER

Superintendent Jeff Powell will elaborate at today’s School Board meeting on the system’s loss of the federal Head Start program, according to the posted agenda.

The board learned in late July its application to retain the program management had been rejected in favor of Save the Children, which lost it to the parish in 2020.

This time a year ago the board was split on seeking to renew its grant. By January overhaul in the program operation led to a vote to seek renewal.

As it was regarding why Save the Children lost Head Start five years ago the government is tight lipped regarding why the national non-profit regained the grant.

The competitive grant process has a number of objective and subjective assessment categories.

Focus on Early Childhood Education is a factor, as is incorporating Head Start teachers into the parish system.

The parish Early Learning Centers and its Pre K program seem strong points.

Powell, perhaps, will shed more light.

Under normal circumstances the board can apply again for the program grant in 2030.