The Trump administration is asking Congress to eliminate funding for Head Start. Talk of cuts has the Green Bay Area Public School District concerned about the future of its Head Start program, April 17, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — President Donald Trump’s administration is asking Congress to eliminate funding for Head Start.
The proposal is part of a 64-page draft budget document.
“The federal government should not be in the business of mandating curriculum, locations, and performance standards for any form of education,” the document says.
Cuts would impact nearly 800,000 children nationwide, including 15,000 here in Wisconsin. Head Start serves low-income families and is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Talk of cuts has the Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) concerned about the future of its Head Start program, which has been serving low-income families since 1967. They have two locations with a total of 336 students, but now GBAPS is worried cuts to federal funding could put their work in jeopardy.
“It is an integral part of our community. It is imperative to the success of our children in this district and it builds that strong foundation before they get to the kindergarten age and heading into our district schools,” Head Start Learning Center co-director and principal Patty Mevis said.
Compared to this time last year, Head Start centers across the U.S. are receiving $1 billion less in federal funds. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced Thursday the Trump administration is halting $35 million dollars in aid to Wisconsin.
In Green Bay, the school district receives $4.7 million per year and completely relies on those federal dollars to keep Head Start running.
“Head Start has traditionally been supported bipartisanly through all of the administrations. They see the value in the successes that our students experience,” Mevis said.
Mevis said if Head Start is eliminated, working families would be forced to find other childcare options, which often have few openings and long waiting lists.
“It’s a safe and consistent place for our children to be while their parents are working or furthering their education,” Mevis said.
Head Start is for kids ages three to five. It was created in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration to help families in poverty. The program provides free early education, childcare, meals and medical services, along with social and emotional counseling for families.
Recent worries about cuts began when the regional office for the Wisconsin Head Start Association closed and staff were put on administrative leave.
“There literally is just no place for these children to go. In many cases, Head Start is one of a handful, if not the only licensed childcare provider in many counties across our state,” Wisconsin Head Start Association Executive Director Jennie Mauer said.
Congressman Tony Wied, R-8th District released a statement regarding the matter:
House Republicans are just now starting the process of identifying waste, fraud and abuse across the federal bureaucracy. I ran for Congress to rein in out-of-control federal spending and look forward to saving taxpayer dollars while also ensuring programs have necessary funding to help those truly in need.
It’s unclear if the proposed cuts will be accepted by lawmakers.
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