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The Joint Board of Directors of the Head Start Consortium of Elkhart and St. Joseph Counties met in a regular session on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 in the Cafeteria at the Lafayette Center, 245 North Lombardy Drive, Suite A, South Bend, Indiana, 46619.

I. Call to Order

As President of the Head Start Consortium, Mark Mow called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.

II. Roll Call

President Mark Mow called for the roll call with a reminder to identify yourself when making a motion or seconding a motion.

Jim Conner Middlebury Community Schools

Kathy Guajardo Executive Director, Head Start

Steven Mills School City of Mishawaka

Mark Mow Elkhart Community Schools

Larry Phillips Union-North United School Corporation

Dick Reese John Glenn School Corporation

Joe Sabo Wa-Nee Community Schools

Dr. Bruce Stahly Goshen Community Schools

Dr. Robert Zimmerman South Bend Community School Corporation

Thomas Tumey, Fairfield School Corporation, Jerry Cook, Baugo Community Schools, George Dyer, Concord Community Schools, and Dr. Jerry Thacker Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation were absent from the meeting.

III. Public Speakers

Lula Malone, past Policy Council Chairperson, 19 years ago. Her five children attended Head Start and six foster children. She has heard some complaints and is concerned about the community and the families that Head Start serves and the way that staff is being treated. There are policies and procedures that need to be followed, and the program can be restructured, but the Policy Council must be included and there are no Policy members present today. Staff was let go in the middle of the grantee period that has already been approved for this year. What happened to the money? How did the grant get changed unless you went through the regional office,
Deb Pruitt, is the same person Lula has dealt with some years ago, she will be hearing from Lula regarding her concerns with how things are being changed.

Rose Clark, Social Worker concerned with the program not being educational, it is more social. The program is not following standards that school corporations have to follow. The history says that we are looking at the social end of the program. Also, Rose has some concerns with the Social Worker being let go, and it is the only Social Worker in the program. I understand the right to reorganize and it is necessary sometimes, but were the right people kept and other people let go. Looking at the experience with the staff that were let go, I am concerned that are the right people in the right positions. Also, a concern is that Head Start no longer has their pulse on this community, the Directors is not seen in many of the programs that at risk children are affected by, that person needs to be there because that is the population you are serving. I hope that the Board will be able to answer it or at least address these concerns.

President Mark Mow asked for a motion for approval of the adoption of the agenda. Steve Mills made the motion for approval and the second was made by Dick Reese. All were in favor.

President Mark Mow asked for a motion for approval of the minutes of the last meeting which was held on May 23, 2007. Jim Conner made the motion for approval and second was made by Joe Sabo. All were in favor.

· There is an amendment to the School calendar, the Teachers and Assistants will be returning on August 13, 2007 to begin training and planning for the upcoming school year.

· Fall enrollment is well over 80% of income and age eligible children. The goal of 100% should be met soon. The Family and Community Specialists (FACS) will be working and onboard until June 29, 2007.

· School ended with success on May 18, 2007, staff was awarded with a luncheon and an award pin reflecting how many years of service. The first Head Start teacher retired with 38 years. Also, recognized was a teacher who has served for 39 years.

· The legal consultant has developed staff agreements and contracts, all have been signed but one, with extenuating circumstances.

· Refunding application with much focus, time, and devotion to pulling the grant pieces together. We are receiving many letters of support.

· Community Outreach programs, Kathy met with Community Foundation of St. Joseph, who we have an excellent partnership with. The teachers attended an illiteracy workshop, results of the workshop was 41%, our teachers did well.

· United Way and the Success by 6 Program, Kathy is a part of the Advisory Council to work with them to streamline and collaborate the resources.

· Follow-up calls have been coming as a result of the Rotary Club book donations this spring. Two other agencies in the area have committed to donate books that will capture $5,000 of in-kind.

· The Transportation Directors meeting went well. We have established a training plan for the upcoming year with those directors.

The Board acknowledges, as stated by Bruce Stahly and Mark Mow, at the June 5, 2007 Policy Council meeting, the reorganization was approved by the Policy Council members.

Steve Mills made the motion for approval of Personnel Actions. The second was made by Dr. Zimmerman. Larry Phillips asked if all the Site Coordinators were eliminated and who will be taking over the duties. Kathy stated yes, and the duties will be taken over by the County Coordinators. There will be no change from what took place in the past school years. All were in favor.

Bruce Stahly made the motion for approval of Distribution of Payroll, etc. The second was made by Larry Phillips. All were in favor.

Dick Reese made the motion for approval of Training and Technical Assistance Grant. The second was made by Steve Mills. All were in favor.

Joe Sabo made the motion for approval of the Organizational Restructure for the Grantee Office. The second was made by
Dick Reese. All were in favor.

Dr. Zimmerman made the motion of approval of the Refunding Application Grant. The second was made by Steve Mills. All were in favor.

Bruce Stahly made the motion for approval of Board Elections, and that the officers remain the same. The second was made by Dick Reese. All were in favor.

Dr. Zimmerman made the motion for adjournment. The second was made by
Jim Conner. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned.