PG County Executive 'Angry' After HHS Terminates 'Head Start' Program

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it is killing the Prince George's County Head Start program over reports of humiliation and corporal punishment used on young children in the school system, but that isn't stopping the county from moving forward with it anyway.

Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker said he was "angry and extremely disappointed" after the HHS terminated the grant "as a consequence of deficiencies that were not corrected in a timely manner," according to a statement from the county. The statement was vague about what teachers were accused of, but a WTOP report indicates that the HHS found that Head Start teachers were using humiliation and corporal punishment on children as young as 3 years of age.

"I have asked [PG County Public Schools CEO Kevin] Maxwell to address this matter immediately and I have confidence that he and the Board of Education will ensure that the families of the 932 children in the program do not lose this valuable and important educational service," he said in a statement. "The acts that are documented in the report from Head Start are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our school system."

Maxwell also put out a statement pledging to continue with Head Start.

"We are deeply troubled by the circumstances that led to this decision," the statement reads. "A handful of people used unacceptably poor judgment that compromised children’s learning environments, their personal well-being, and a program that has positively impacted countless lives in Prince George’s County."

Head Start is a free program aimed at low-income families and their children, helping them to get prepared for the school year through early education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services. Baker said the Head Start program would start on time on Aug. 29.

"This report demonstrates that there are teachers and other school professionals in our school system who did not understand the sacred nature of their responsibility," Baker's statement continues. "It is my understanding that Dr. Maxwell has dealt with them swiftly, as well as addressed this situation with the entire Prince George’s County Public Schools Head Start staff. We must rid the system of those who do not take their responsibility seriously."

The grant was reportedly worth $6.3 million.