Concerned citizens meeting set to discuss Opp Head Start

Published 12:03 am Saturday, April 18, 2015

Parents and members of the community will hold a concerned citizen meeting Monday regarding the temporary closure of the Opp Head Start.

NAACP President Aaron Bogen told the Star-News Friday that the residents in Opp’s District 4 are outraged at the closure of the facility.

Bogen said a lot of children who are served by the low-income preschool program come from single parent homes, and some parents were forced to take off work on Friday.

Bogen said he attended Opp BOE meetings, where he was under the understanding that the project at the former South Highlands Elementary School would not begin until summer.

“Why they couldn’t wait one more month?” he said. “These parents need this service and you can’t prepare with a few hours’ notice. These parents can find a place for their children in the summer, but they have notice when summer break begins.”

Bogen said the meeting will begin at 4 p.m., at the Hardin Street Community Center.

“This is going to be a place for parents to voice their concerns,” he said. “Head Start is important to our kids. This ain’t right.”