Board of Education Meeting Notes: Head Start Program Proposed

Former Congressman Jim Maloney spoke to the Board of Education Thursday night to propose starting a Head Start program for Bethel children aged 3-4. Though the board listened to the programs potential, it also decided to vote for it at its next meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16. 

According to the program's Connecticut website, Head Start is available throughout the country and aims "to integrate the lessons learned from Head Start, the nation's 35-year-old early childhood laboratory and the services of local Head Start programs with state efforts in early care and education." It also prioritizes in helping children from families with problems concerning "health, child care, education, literacy, welfare reform, national service, homelessness and children with special needs. "

Maloney said there are already about a dozen Bethel children who attend Head Start, but go to Danbury schools to do so. He also said Head Start is not treated as a daycare but as service program that encourages parental involvement.

"We do have a number of Bethel children [already involved], we would welcome the opportunity of making the service more convenient to those children by actually offering Head Start in a classroom or two located in Bethel," Maloney said. "We'd like to do two classrooms...we mandate two staff members per classroom, though we try to have three."

Some concerns raised by the board were extra costs and prioritizing what families could take advantage of the program. Maloney said while the classrooms would be treated like the district's own in terms of supplies, much of the costs would be funded or reimbursed by the state or the program itself. Families are also prioritized by a numeric rating and Maloney cited families dealing with homelessness and special needs were at the top.

Superintendent Dr. Gary Chesley said starting a Head Start program in Bethel would not affect the new  plans and, like the new program, would be a asset to helping children of all learning levels.

"It would help close that gap," Chesley said. "And if we close it, it's closed for a lifetime."

Jen Larson of the Danbury Head Start program spoke in support of starting one in Bethel during public comment. "Opening this up and helping 40 children in Bethel would be phenomenal," she said.  

Larson also said she has seen children enter Head Start not knowing colors or how to string words together. After going through the program, she said children "speak more, learn more and know how to behave better."

Also from the Dec. 2 meeting:

• Chairman Larry Craybas and Vice Chairman Jill DeRosa were re-elected to their respective positions for the following year. Secretary Kristine Harrison  stepped down and Board Member Robin Renner was elected as the board's new secretary.
• The Cooperative Work Experience curriculum will stay at Bethel High School (BHS). The program helps students, who may not be attending college post graduation, find and maintain jobs while teaching fiscal responsibility. 
• BHS Principal Dr. Patricia Cosentino reviewed the vision for the school, citing new programs and technology playing a major role in teaching.