WSOS to shrink its Head Start program

5/16/2003

FREMONT - Because of federal and state funding cuts, the WSOS Community Action Commission plans to shrink its Head Start program by the end of the month.

Facing a Head Start deficit of $370,000 by Oct. 31, the agency said it would close child-development centers in North Baltimore, Northwood, and New Riegel; reduce centers in Bradner, Lemoyne, and Perrysburg from two class sessions a day to one, and eliminate 27 staff positions. In addition, WSOS plans to reduce the hours of 12 other employees and issue temporary layoffs to nine staff members.

With the cutbacks, the number of children served in the Head Start preschool program will drop from 208 to 160.