HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The county’s approved budget included $60,000 for TECH. Traditionally, those dollars have funded the infant and toddlers program at the Early Education Center. However, the TECH board decided to sever its ties with USD 308 and the Reno County Education Cooperative, which run the center that provides services for children from birth to 3-years-old.

Brenda Maxey, President of TECH, told the commission that the board voted to end the relationship with USD 308 for the Early Education Center, believing the district was going in a different direction. The board decided to use the $60,000 for two other programs.

She explained their hopes for the children and family program:

 

Maxey then talked about the arts program, which she says has become much more in demand than expected:

 

This change is not sitting well with the County Commission, who assumed the money provided to TECH would again support the Early Education Center. Commissioners want the three groups to work out any differences so the money from the county can be used for the center, as it has been for years.

Whether that happens is yet to be determined, but it could affect any dollars the county provides next year to TECH when it looks at the 2020 budget.

Officials with USD 308 say they can cover the $60,000, but it would not come from new money from the state, rather, it would have to come from other programs within the district.