The Cherokee County School Board is considering whether a $1 million federal investment from Head Start is worthwhile.

Piedmont Community Actions in Spartanburg has received unofficial notice of a $536,000 grant award for a new Head Start Program in Cherokee County. The grant would combine classes for infants and toddlers with a family literacy program and services to pregnant women in high-poverty areas.

The school board’s Special Needs Committee spent an hour Monday morning reviewing a detailed proposal about the Head Start grant. The proposed Head Start partnership would allow the district to serve an additional 52 at-risk preschool children under the age of 3.

The new Head Start program would require the district to make minor renovations in the $7 million community learning center which opened last year, assistant superintendent Dr. Linda Sellars said. The proposed renovations would require the district to add two bathrooms and doors for a new entranceway for children served in the Head Start program. Three new playground areas would be built to comply with state child care licensing rules.

Head Start has indicated it will cover the estimated $400,000 in startup funds needed for the building renovations and hiring of new employees, Sellars said. Any new hires would be employed by Head Start.

The district would help furnish the early childhood classes.

“This is an opportunity to provide more preschool services in Cherokee County,” Sellars said. “Head Start is interested in setting up a model comprehensive Head Start program that will cover all areas, including family literacy and services to pregnant women. No programs would be moved from the community learning center.”

School trustees took no action following the district presentation on Head Start. The school board’s special needs committee will meet Wednesday morning to discuss the Head Start proposal further.

Board member Amanda Knowles said she would like to see a written contract from Head Start and find out a start date for the grant before the committee makes a recommendation to the school board.