There are 280 children in Frederick County enrolled in Head Start. To support the program the county spends $2.3 million and the federal government matches the county's contribution, for a total cost of $4.6 million to taxpayers.

Long division is not my strong point, but that comes to $16,428.57 per kid if I'm not mistaken.

Every study of Head Start shows there is no — zip, none, not an iota of — long-term learning advantage for kids enrolled in the program.

Head Start is two things: an employment opportunity for a failed program and an expensive baby-sitting service.

David G. O'Neill, Princess Anne