Minutes (DRAFT) 1/21/15 Policy Council
Merced County
Head Start
2130 Cooper Ave. Merced, CA 95348 P. (209) 381-5170 F. (209) 381-5172
Merced County Office of Education Head Start Program
Policy Council Meeting Minutes
January 21, 2015
Members/Alternates Present: Anita Salas, Daniel Lopez, Jennifer Jones, Anabel Lupe, Dafuni Vang, Blanca Santa Cruz, Cynthia Verdusco, Wendy Gonzales, Jennifer Zambrano, Rocelia Chavez, Jonny Ordaz, Christina Raymer, Jenna Nunes, Cheryl Assante, Lisa Ingle, Michelle Rgz
Staff/Invited Guests Present: Linda Kaercher, Jim Kayser, Cristina Cruz, and Tina Schultz (recording).
1. Call to Order
Secretary Blanca Santa Cruz called the meeting to order at 9:05AM.
2. Welcome/Introductions/Roll Call Secretary
Blanca Santa Cruz welcomed the group and all in attendance introduced themselves.
3. Introduction of Liaison to the Board
Linda announced that a new liaison was elected at the school board and will be present at the next meeting.
4. Policy Council Membership/Quorum
Blanca Santa Cruz verified that there were enough members present to meet the quorum.
5. Agenda
It was M/S/A Lisa Ingle /Cheryl Assante to approve the agenda as written.
6. Public Communication
There was no public communication.
7. Review November 19, 2014 Meeting Minutes
Linda provided an overview of the December minutes. It was M/S/A Jennifer Jones Rocelina Chavez to approve the minutes.
8. Communications from ACF
Linda explained Christie Hendricks, Asst. Superintendent will not be joining us today. Linda Kaercher announced that communication from ACF was received in the form of an Information Memorandum regarding New Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Linda briefly reviewed the communication and explained the requirements were effective Dec, 26, 2014. The new regulations are similar to previous audit, cost principle and administrative regulations. The new regulations are a mix of existing language from previous regulations and new provisions. There is an approximately 150 page document that that needs to be compared to the new regulations to ensure compliance. Per Jim Kayser some of the changes are minor.
Program Reports:
A. Enrollment/Waiting List/Attendance: The attendance report was provided and Blanca Santa Cruz announced that we are at full enrollment. Linda Kaercher and Blanca briefly reviewed the attendance report with special explanation in regards to Disability percentages and percentage needed. Linda explained the mandate to make 10% of Head Start enrollment spaces available to children with disabilities and what we are doing to work towards our 10%.
B. Director’s Report: Linda announced that she wanted to report where we are with Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Grant and the Federal Review. Linda provided a brief overview of Planada EHS Services and numbers of students that can be served along with the Partnership with Family Child Care. Start-up funds must be received before work can begin. Linda and Operations Officer Don Ables along with Education Manager Paula Smith viewed the facility. Some work will be required to get the center ready. To meet licensing requirements. Linda explained age requirements and movement between” classroom” spaces based on licensing requirements. Start-up dollars are expected to be awarded by March. In the meantime we have started recruitment for staff needed to run this center based facility. We are moving forward with the Partnership for Family Child Care Providers. There will be a meeting next week on or about January 27th to explain requirement to meet Head Start Performance Standards for Family Child Care Providers that are interested in partnering with Head Start. This meeting will take place at our Early Education Office. Linda will make sure to get a communication out to our FSSPs.
The Federal Review will take place February 3rd, 4th and 5th 2105. Linda explained that 6-8 PC members and 6-8 parents that are not part of Policy Council are needed for interviews on Wednesday February 4th, 2015. Interviews may take up to an hour.
C. Fiscal Report: Jim Kayser provided a brief training overview on understanding the budget report and explained all the credit card charges for the month. Jim gave totals on meal counts and explained the totals and how much had been reimbursed towards the food program. The Budget committee meeting will take place the second week of February and Jim will be sending out a communication shortly for those who expressed interest in being part of that committee. Jim requested that those members scheduled to attend that CSHA Parent Conference please visit him for more information and details.
9. Self-Assessment Report: Linda announced that the Self-Assessment Report was not yet completed for discussion this month and we will need to postpone to the February agenda.
10. Annual Report: Linda Kaercher passed out a copy of the 2013-2014 Annual Report and provided a brief overview of annual report requirements. Once the final report has been completed and approved color copies will be sent to parents and other interested parties. It was M/C/A Jennifer Jones/Daniel Lopez to approve Annual Report.
11. Policy Council Comments/Request for Future Agenda Items: A parent requested a report on the Fairside facility and available options.
12. The Program Planning Calendar shows that Service Implementation Plans should be reviewed in February.
13. Announcements: Linda Kaercher announced, on Monica Graim’s behalf, the upcoming CHSA Parent Conference and that Recruitment for the 15-16 school years will begin this February, a few months earlier than when we typically start recruitment. Parents or anyone who knows of a parent that is interested in helping with Recruitment should work with their local Family Support Services Provider or Education Staff.
14. Closed Session for Personnel Matters: New hire announcements were made. It was M/C/A Rocelia Chavez/Jenny Jones to approve new hires.
15. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 AM.
Merced County Office of Education
Steven E. Gomes Ed.D., Superintendent
632 W. 13th Street, Merced CA 95341
Equal Opportunity Employer