Higher Ground preschool to close in January
By The Bakersfield Californian
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the growing number of preschool students struggling with expulsion. The Bakersfield family I featured--the Slays--had found refuge at Higher Ground preschool. The school, formerly called Morning Glory, prides itself on giving special care and attention to students who struggle with behavior issues.
Come January, though, the school will close its doors for good, said director Heather Garcia. Garcia said she was shocked to learn this week that the church associated with the school--also called Higher Ground--plans to shutter the preschool for financial reasons.
"They pretty much told me on Tuesday that the school will never be able to make enough money to support the church," she said. "And so they're closing it." A representative from the church confirmed the move was indeed financial.
That closure will be tough for its young students, many of whom have been unsuccessful at other preschools but find help at Higher Ground, Garcia said.
One child started off last year unable to talk, and with a tendency to throw his shows.
"In a year, he's talking, holding conversations, participating with teachers, and he doesn't scream and cry," Garcia said. "His mom is devastated. He's come so far."
Six staff members will also lose their jobs, Garcia said.
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Kern County has agreed to pay a Kern River Valley family $1 million for wrongfully taking their son in 2008 when the family was in a dispute with the South Fork Union School District over how school officials were dealing with the boy's food allergies.