Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Members Present: Carl Telford, Tajae Smith, Rosalind Moss, Jelsa Hendrix, Jordan Machen, Angela Brown, Bobby Allison, Tomeika Bennett, Teneie Mathis, Cheyenne Beasley, Elizabeth Otosky, Joyce Smith
Members Absent: Carl Powe, Maisha Delph, Adiah Franklin, Terail Dorn, Diamond Neal, Thomasina Watson, Z’Quoia Blassingame, Eric McCullough, Harriett Hunt, Neco Hester, Mikya Cowan, Cathy Breazelle, Chekia Hunt, Rita Hunter
Mini Training: Community Needs Assessment
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes from last month’s meeting were reviewed by the Policy Council (See Attachment). Bobby Allison made a correction to the spelling of his last name. After discussion, Angela Brown made a motion to accept the minutes with the necessary correction to the spelling of Mr. Allison’s last name. Bobby Allison seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approval of Personnel Report:
The personnel report was then presented by Melissa Botsoe, Information Coordinator II. We are recommending hire for 2 perspective new employees (See attachment). All applicants are subject to Background Investigation as mandated by the S.C. Department of Social Services. This includes State and Federal Background Investigation and the Child Registry Search to determine if any abuse or neglect has been made against a child and Pre-Employment Drug Screenings. Also, we will conduct reference checks on all perspective new employees. Appointments are conditional based upon the receipt of satisfactory references, state, and federal background investigation and approval from the Head Start Policy Council. Each full-time employee must serve a three-month introductory probationary period before obtaining regular appointment status. Substitutes are on an as needed basis. Mr. Allison asked for clarification on the Health Coordinator position. Ms. Vaughn explained the scope of the position which includes overseeing health specialists, managing supplies, and following up on children's illnesses. After discussion, Tomeika Bennett made a motion to approve the perspective new employees as presented. Elizabeth Otosky seconded. Motion carried.
Approval of the Community Assessment Update:
Ms. Vaughn reviewed the community assessment update with the council. She discussed challenges faced by families served by Head Start programs, including affordable housing, food insecurity, and transportation issues. She highlighted issues such as increased homelessness due to high housing costs, particularly affecting Black and Hispanic/ Latino households. She noted a trend of families moving frequently due to rising rent rates. Ms. Vaughn highlighted the need for Early Head Start services in Greenville County and mentioned the impact of rising costs and poverty rates. We are considering prioritizing 2-year old children for our EHS program option. Mr. Allison asked a question in regards to SNAP benefits and section 8 housing. Ms. Vaughn informed the council that we do consider the cost of housing when determining eligibility for our program. Angela Brown mentioned her role as a licensed realtor and offered to provide consultations on homeownership, either individually or in group settings. After discussion, Bobby Allison made a motion to approve the Community Assessment Update. Tomeika Bennett seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approval of 2025-2026 Personnel Policy Updates:
The Personnel Policy Updates for the 2025-26 school year was presented by Tara Cannon, Director of Human Resources. Ms. Cannon informed the council that updates made includes changes to holidays to include Juneteenth holiday, Under Annual Leave – Maximum Days to Be Used Per Year is now 40 or 320 hours, Head Start Specific Blackout Period Policy, Under Sick Leave which includes the phrase “more than”, Wage Comparability Study information and Dress Code includes language about head scarves for religious purposes. Angela Brown asked for clarification on the wage comparability study. Ms. Cannon explained the process and answered Ms. Brown’s concern regarding do we consider the wages of public-school teachers when conducting the study. After discussion, Teneie Mathis made a motion to approve the Personnel Policy Updates as presented. Elizabeth Otosky seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Approval of Director’s Report:
Shannon Vaughn, Director of Children and Family Development, presented the Director's Report. She highlighted that Head Start is at 6% for children with disabilities, Early Head Start is at 9.2%, and they plan to meet the 10% requirement. Ms. Vaughn thanked the Policy Council and the Board of Directors for their participation in our Annual Shared Governance training. We are planning to have another training in the Spring for anyone who missed the training in November. Ms. Vaughn informed the council that with the help of one of our board members, we were able to assist 25 families in need for the Thanksgiving holiday by providing them with a turkey and a box containing staple foods. She informed the council that we are currently at 48% of completing our program year. We have met 27% in collecting in-kind which is better than this time last school year. Our Full Enrollment Initiative (FEI) ends in January. In November, our total enrollment percentage for the program was 95%. HS was at 93% and EHS at 98%. The centers were enrollment is a challenge is BHW, Seneca and North Greenville. Ms. Vaughn informed the council that we are considering a reduction in HS slots and increasing slots for EHS. Ms. Brown and Mr. Allison asked about transportation issues and recruitment efforts in rural areas, with Shannon explaining that while transportation is not a significant problem, competition from other pre-K programs is still a concern. Shannon also described ongoing recruitment strategies, including social media outreach, partnerships with other organizations, and monthly distributions of flyers at WIC and DSS offices, etc. Ms. Brown asked a question regarding who is responsible for searching for commercial real estate. After discussion, Bobby Allison made a motion to accept the director’s report as presented. Teneie Mathis seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Budget Review:
Doris Pitchford, Director of Business & Finance presented the November credit card and financial reports, noting that Head Start spending was at 41.67% of the fiscal year, aligned with the 37.06% spent on the Head Start budget and 32.04% spent on EHS. The total combined spent is 35.14%. We are at 27% for in-kind. After discussion, Teneia Mathis made a motion to approve the budget review as presented. Tomeika Bennett seconded the motion. Motion carried,
No further business, meeting adjourned. ..;
Recorded by:
Angela Brown, Acting Secretary
Carl Telford, Chair
