Marcy Kaptur’s Shutdown Halts Head Start Programs in Toledo

Last night, Marcy Kaptur voted to extend the longest government shutdown in history, with no concern for the impacts of the shutdown on Ohio families.

Now, Ohio parents are going to feel the impact first hand. Toledo Public Schools have announced they are “pausing most of its Head Start and Early Childhood Education programs as part of the fallout of the government shutdown.”

“Out of touch Marcy Kaptur has made her priorities clear: catering to the radical far-left base instead of standing with Ohio families. By tripling down on abandoning working parents who depend on Head Start, Kaptur has shown just how out of touch she is, and Ohio families won’t forget.” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Bannon

Read more from WTVG here or see excerpts below:

TPS to temporarily suspend Head Start, Early Childhood Education Programs
WTVG
November 12, 2025

Toledo Public Schools announced Wednesday the district is pausing most of its Head Start and Early Childhood Education programs as part of the fallout of the government shutdown.

The district said the plan is to suspend operation for those programs starting Dec. 1 as the district did not receive its federal award money notification for that time.

The suspension of Head Start and Early Childhood Education programs affects more than 1,000 students in TPS-sponsored programs along with 124 employees, a district spokesperson said.

A letter from Superintendent Dr. Romulus Durant obtained by 13 Action News said even with the news that a resolution to the government shutdown may be near, the district hasn’t been notified of its next funding award and can’t afford to the fund the program on its own.

[…]

Toledo Public Schools leadership is emphasizing the value of these programs for young students.

“These programs are among America’s most effective investments, with long-term benefits and documented measures of success,” the statement from Toledo Public Schools read in part. “Students make significant progress in language, literacy, and math by the end of the program year, demonstrating improved academic, social-emotional, and school readiness outcomes.”

The TPS spokesperson also said that studies show Head Start programs result in better self-control and reduced behavior problems for students.

[…]