Though Selma City School Board officials are still contemplating if housing the Head Start program in Selma system would be beneficial, Dallas County School Board members have already made their decision clear.

During Monday’s meeting, officials voted on superintendent Fannie McKenzie’s recommendation to house students inside three classrooms at Tipton Middle School, a request made by Head Start program director Michael McGrady.

In exchange for housing the children, McGrady said he would give $500 a month in utility expenses, provide at least one computer — no more than five per center for Head Start and schools — and help to develop a resource room with books for children to take home. In addition, the playground equipment used by Head Start students would be shared with current students.

Joint training opportunities between schools and Head Start will also be available. Students would eat school-provided lunches and be transported by county school buses.

McKenzie believes the program is a positive for the county.

“One of the things I thought was really good was Mr. McGrady indicated they would align the Head Start curriculum with our curriculum, so when the students come into our kindergarten, they would be better prepared for kindergarten,” McKenzie said. “With those positives, I made the recommendation to allow them to use the three rooms at Southside Primary, and you all (the board) voted to do so, and I think it would be beneficial again. We have the space to do it.”

Assistant superintendent Don Willingham said the program should start right away, in time for the upcoming school year.

“The three classrooms will be accessible without having to go through the whole campus,” Willingham said.

Selma-Dallas Community Action & CDC, a nonprofit organization, received a community block grant for its Head Start program, which housed more than 677 children and a staff of 150-160 in its 40 years of existence. Due to mismanagement of funds, the organization closed its doors in May. Now under the new program, Central Alabama Child Development and CDC, McKenzie said the program has made significant changes in its operation.

“From preparing their teachers to where they are housed,” McKenzie said. “I think it would be a good thing.”

Many board members have discussed the topic of Head Start since the fall.

Board chair Mark Story, said he thinks it’s a great idea as long as it doesn’t cost the school system any more money.

“It’s a no brainer: it needs to be done,” Story said. “I’d like to see them align their curriculum with ours. I’d be interested in seeing if the teachers see an impact, a difference, in those children that come from the other program.”

The next scheduled board meeting is Monday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m.