MEDIA REPORTS

In the first few minutes at Head Start, 3-year-old Jazmine Dillow stayed close to her mother – away from the rest of her class, huddled nearby for a story: “Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes.”

Media coverage from Pre-K for PA’s press event in Royersford, PA on August 28, 2015.

The lack of state funding pouring into Pre-K Counts and Head Start is having some dire impacts on preschools, forcing some to not open on time or take out a bridge loan until a state budget is finalized.

The bad news on Page 2 was that the Bucks County early learning center won’t start taking children in the state-subsidized Pa. Pre-K Counts program until Oct. 16 – about a month and a half later than normal – because the state budget standoff in Harrisburg has forced the center to scramble to find money for the program.

Whether the state would fund more preschool opportunities across McKean and Potter counties remains in question as the state budget impasse enters its third month next week.

Lynn Biga, executive director of Luzerne County Head Start, said the agency will have to borrow money to be able to open on time and remain open.

The move comes as Head Start and other social services agencies await a budget resolve in Harrisburg where Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican majorities in the legislature appear miles apart on an agreement.

Rachel Smith goes through the routine of preparing her classroom for students, even though they will be arriving a couple weeks later this year, thanks to the state budget impasse.

Erie hosts PA Kiwanis convention