EASTERN, Ky. (WMDJ) — With the federal government shutdown now stretching into its fourth week, the Floyd County Board of Education has voted to continue operating the district’s Head Start program through the end of the year using local funds.
At its meeting on October 27, the board approved the use of contingency funds to cover Head Start salaries, benefits, and student meal costs for November and December.
In a letter to families, Superintendent Tonya Horne-Williams said the district will use local funds totaling about $228,500 to keep the program running while federal funding is suspended.
Head Start and Early Head Start are typically funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Head Start, under the Administration for Children and Families. The ongoing shutdown has temporarily halted those federal payments, which support staff wages and meals for preschool students.
According to the superintendent’s letter, the funding gap includes roughly $215,000 for salaries and benefits and about $13,500 for food service expenses.
Williams said the district remains hopeful federal funds will be restored soon, but if the shutdown continues beyond January 1, 2026, other funding options may need to be considered.
As of October 27, the federal shutdown has lasted 27 days.
