About Our Organization
We believe every child deserves a head start in life, regardless of their socio-economic background. That’s why we are committed to providing free preschool education to low-income families in the communities we serve.
Making Preschool Available to Low Income Families
We strive to nurture the potential within every child, fostering their love for learning and preparing them for a successful future through a holistic approach that also considers a child’s physical and mental health. We understand that early childhood education lays the foundation for a lifetime of achievement, and we’re dedicated to creating a nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating environment where young minds can flourish. We are on a journey to empower children and break down barriers to quality education, ensuring that every child has access to preschool and an equal opportunity to thrive.
NESD Head Start Mission
Provide assistance through education, training, awareness and support to enable Head Start children and families to identify and remove obstacles that keep them from attaining their fullest potential as self-assured, self-sufficient individuals and families.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Juli Schultz, Executive Director
Juli Schultz is NESD Head Start’s Executive Director, leading the organization since 2018. Before joining the Head Start family, she spent eight years as a preschool teacher and 15 years volunteering at her church in children’s ministry – specifically with preschool-aged children – so she is no stranger to the importance of early childhood education. Juli currently serves as the SD Head Start Association Board President, after serving as Vice President in 2021-2022.
Juli and her husband, Brian, have two daughters, Erica and Natalie, who are both looking at futures in education. Brian is the Associate Artistic/Managing Director of the Aberdeen Community Theatre. Juli enjoys spending her free time assisting her hubby with behind-the-scene elements at the theater and volunteers in the Box Office during the runs of the shows.
Renae Scherbenske
Human Resources Manager
rscherbenske@nesdhs.org
Amy Moore
Business Manager
amoore@nesdhs.org
Krystina Hauck
Enrollment Manager
khauck@nesdhs.org
Kristie Fliehs
Education & Disabilities Manager
kfliehs@nesdhs.org
Kristi Myhre
Health Services Manager
kmhyre@nesdhs.org
Krista Anderson
Family Services Manager
kanderson@nesdhs.org
Carol Rice
Nutrition Manager
crice@nesdhs.org
History of NESD Head Start
1987
The Northeast South Dakota Head Start Program, Inc. applied for and was selected as the Agency with legal and financial responsibility to provide Head Start services for 250 children in 10 counties.
1991
The Program expanded by adding Campbell, Potter and Walworth Counties. Initially, Home Base Head Start was the option in the new area.
1993 – 2022
A cooperative venture between Head Start and the Wilmot Public School System provided a Head Start preschool for all 3 and 4-year-old children in the School District.
1996 – current
The Mobridge Public School provided a classroom for center-based Head Start services in Mobridge.
2001
A third classroom was added in Aberdeen to serve more children and families.
2012
The Aberdeen Center moved from downtown Aberdeen to a combined location with management staff at the K.O. Lee Building.
2019
The Program added Leola Public School as a cooperative partner providing preschool for 3 and 4-year-old children in the School District.
2021
The Sisseton and Webster Centers expanded to two classrooms at each location and went from half-day to full-day services.