Local Head Start in need of teacher

The future of the Rocky Mountain Development Council Head Start program in Whitehall is up in the air.

At an informational meeting last week, program director Ashley Pena-Larsen said they are facing the issue of not having a primary teacher/family advocate for the 2017-18 school year. Pena-Larsen stated if they don't find a replacement for current teacher/family advocate Elaine Henningsen, they could not open the classroom next year. She added at this point, if they do not get someone hired by the June 2 deadline, they may need to make the decision to close out of necessity.

Pena-Larsen said they have advertised the position in the media, various places online, and at local colleges, but have yet to find a replacement. She expressed concern of filling the position by June 2, adding it is very difficult to go into direct competition with school districts for an employee because of the pay difference.

A group of concerned parents were also in attendance and brainstormed ideas to come up with housing or money for moving expenses for an out of area candidate. Jefferson County Commissioner Bob Mullen said he could not speak for the entire Commission, but said he would be willing to vote to help pay moving expenses. The group of parents also discussed ways to let more people know about the vacancy.

The issue of having enough income eligible students for the program was also discussed, with Mullen stating that is a challenge right now.

Only six of the 13 students in the program were income eligible this year, and the group of parents and officials in attendance also discussed getting word out about Head Start.

Henningsen said five of the six eligible students were planning to return next year, another four are applying, and they always see more applicants in August.