DRIVING THE INDUSTRY SINCE 1991
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HITS HEAD START OPERATIONS While some “essential” programs such
as TSA remained intact during the shut- down of the federal government shut- down through Oct. 16, when the Senate and House finally agreed on to continue funding programs and raise the debt ceil- ing for the next couple of months, Head Start agencies were reeling. According to the National Association
for the Education of Young Children, Head Start grants are made on a rolling basis, and 23 programs serving 19,000 children that were anticipating payments on Oct. 1 went without. Many of those grantees had to shut their doors because of the lack of federal funds. Sequestration already led to 57,000
children losing Head Start services in the last fiscal year, reports the National Head Start Association (NHSA). By Oct. 4, more than 5,000 kids under
the age of 5 had been shut out of their preschools in 11 states, according to Sally Aman, a spokeswoman for NHSA. In addition, the NHSA said 19,000 low-in- come preschoolers could potentially lose Head Start and Early Head Start ser- vices. NHSA noted that 23 programs in 11 states were without grant money that is “critical to the delivery of Head Start's high-quality early education.” Yet, the association received some good
news on Oct. 7. Philanthropists Laura and John Arnold donated up to $10 million of their own money to support NHSA in assisting Head Start and Early Head Start programs that were either forced to close or faced closure in Octo- ber due to lack of funding. After learning about the devastat- ing impact the government shutdown was having on Head Start children, the Arnolds came forward and offered assistance.
Te NHSA's Aman told STN she was
unsure how exactly the funds assisted transportation other than keeping the agencies in operation during the shut- down. Transportation services are one of many that are dependent upon federal funding to local agencies.
NORTH CAROLINA EXTENDS SCHOOL BUS LIVES A new law requires buses to be driven
250,000 miles instead of 200,000 before being retired and replaced. The bill aims to save $185 million throughout the next five years. Derek Graham, director of student transportation at the state Office of Public Instruction, said many school buses were coming up for replacement, prompting the bill. For 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, all buses
20 years of age regardless of mileage are eligible for replacement. This affects 1994 and 1995 model years, respectively. Senate Bill 402 says no school bus that has been operated for less than 150,000 miles may be replaced, regardless of model year, and buses less than 15 years old may only be replaced if they have been operated for 300,000 miles.
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