Community Rallies Against Cutting Head Start in Frederick, Maryland

When budgets are slim in Maryland, what's the first thing on the chopping block? Preschool for low-income children.

Late last month, county commissioners in Frederick, Maryland decided the best way to deal with a budget gap was to stop funding a Head Start program geared toward needy families. Now, community members are fighting to bring it back, fully funded - and asking for an apology for sexist comments made by county officials.

Head Start serves children ages 3 and 4 in families that fall below the federal poverty line ($22,050 in salary for a family of 4). This particular Head Start program serves almost 300 students annually and has existed for four decades. It also provides crucial medical and nutritional services. Aside from the children losing valuable education, the 80+ staff members also risk losing their jobs.

As one parent at the meeting shared to the local newspaper, "I believe in the program. It has made a huge difference in my son. He is now in kindergarten and he knows how to spell his first name and keeps moving up in reading. It's done so much."

All over the country, states and counties are facing record budget shortfalls and are certainly in difficult positions which are forcing them to make painful cuts all over the place. This is our reality right now. But in determining which cuts to make, these elected officials must consider the long-term impact. For every $1 spent on Pre-K programs, for example, $7 is saved in prison costs. In other words, cutting Pre-K programs is an investment in future clients for public defenders.

To add some salt to the wound, two Commissioners managed to offer insulting advice by insinuating that if parents just stayed married and at home raising their children none of this would be a problem. Wow, way to embody notions of privilege and insult working moms!

Parents and public officials are already speaking out against these cuts, and are demanding an apology for the thoughtless comments made by the Commissioners. Sign this Change.org petition to support their efforts.

Photo Credit: WMAR