On January 27, 2011, Frederick County Maryland's County Commissioners voted to cut the county's share of the federal Head Start program effective March 1. This action will cut the program roughly in half. It will affect 50 teachers, 30 support staff, and 280 poor children (3-5 year olds from families that fall below the federal poverty line). The program has existed for four decades. Jobs will end on March 1.

Adding insult to injury, the commissioners advised mothers to stay married and stay home with their children and not hold jobs outside the home.

Gazette

Head Start staff to lose their Frederick County jobs March 1

County commissioners to vote Tuesday to relinquish funding to federal program in Frederick to close budget gap

​http://www.gazette.net/stories/02072011/frednew180034_32597.php

 

February 8, 2011

 

Frederick News Post

County looks to hand over reins of Head Start to save $2 million

​http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=116422

 

Gazette

Frederick pulls Head Start funding

Two commissioners advise parents to stay married and stay home to raise their children; staff prepares to lose their jobs March 1

​http://gazette.net/stories/02082011/frednew190447_32603.php

 

TBD (ABC7)

Frederick County officials under fire for 'sexist' comments

​http://www.tbd.com/articles/2011/02/frederick-county-officials-under-fire-for-sexist-comments-51655.html

 

February 9, 2011

 

Gazette

Women outraged over Frederick commissioners' comments

Two advise parents to stay married; women at home to raise their children

​http://gazette.net/stories/02092011/frednew175041_32611.php

February 10, 2011

 

Gazette Editorial

The wrong way to privatize

​http://gazette.net/stories/02102011/frededi154028_32533.php

 

ABC2 (Baltimore)

Head Start cuts in Frederick County come with controversial comments

Commissioners seem to say women should stay home

​http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/state/head-start-cuts-in-frederick-county-come-with-controversial-comments

 

February 11, 2011

 

Frederick News Post Letter to the Editor

Smith's remarks about women's roles dismaying

​http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_lte.htm?StoryID=116563

 

Gazette

Frederick Head Start parents speak out against funding cut

Federal contractor tells parents the program will continue with as little disruption as possible

​http://www.gazette.net/stories/02112011/frednew110429_32547.php​

 

Your4State.com

Frederick, Md. Residents Express Anger Over County Commissioners 

​http://your4state.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=164846