Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Mini Training: Ms. Vaughn and Ms. Hawthorne provided a mini-training about the Program Information Report (PIR). They explained the purpose of the PIR as an annual report submitted to the federal government that tells the story of program performance, including enrollment, attendance, child demographics, family services, and staff qualifications. Patrice emphasized that the Policy Council needs this information to guide decision-making and identify areas for improvement, particularly when low numbers in metrics like participation and attendance raise questions about program effectiveness. We are currently in the process of completing the PIR. The final PIR report will be provided at next month’s meeting.
Members Present: Rosalind Moss, Harriett Hunt, Carl Powe, Angela Brown, Chekeia Hunt, Tajae Smith,
Members Absent: Jesla Hendrix, Terail Dorn, Diamond Neal, Thomasina Watson, Z'Quoia Blassingame, Neco Hester, Mikya Cowan, Cheyenne Beasley, Jordan Machen, Bobby Allison, Byron Martinez, Teneie Mathis, Rita Hunter, Maisha Delph, Joyce Smith
Excused: Carl Telford, Amy Gomez, Eric McCullough, Tomeika Bennett
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair, Chekeia Hunt. A quorum was not met.
Unfortunately, we did not have the required quorum of nine (9) members to conduct official business. With members present, we moved forward with discussing agenda items as outlined. Approvals give was not ………due to not having a quorum. It was discussed that we will, we will move forward using the approved procedure outlined in Article IX – Quorum, which states: "In the event a quorum is not present, and there is business that cannot wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting, a vote will be taken by calling/e-mailing parents and community representatives… The results of the voting will be included in the minutes of the regularly scheduled Policy Council meeting." After the policy council meeting, Ms. Hawthorne e-mailed policy council members providing attachments for each agenda items. Members were asked to review documents. Afterwards, members were asked to scan the google QR Code and/or link provided to provide approval and/or disapproval of items listed. Ms. Hawthorne will review and record voting results by the deadline given, July 15th. Members present agreed to follow through with voting procedure as outlined in the by-laws.
Approval of Minutes:
The minutes from last month’s meeting were reviewed by the Policy Council (See Attachment). After discussion, Tajae Smith made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. Carl Powe seconded the motion. Due to a lack of quorum the motion was not carried.
Approval of Personnel Report:
The personnel report was then presented by Tara Cannon, Director of Human Resources and Melissa Botsoe, Information Coordinator II. All Prospective New Employees have been interviewed and are recommended for employment with our program. All applicants are subject to a Background Investigation as mandated by the S.C. Department of Social Services. This includes State and Federal Background Investigations and the Child Registry Search to determine if any abuse or neglect has been made against a child, and Pre-employment Drug Screenings. We will also conduct reference checks on all prospective new employees. Appointments are conditional upon receiving satisfactory references, state and federal background investigation. Each full-time employee must serve a three-month introductory probationary period before obtaining regular appointment status. Substitutes are on an as-needed basis. Two prospective new employees were presented (See below). There was no termination report.
Ms. Botsoe presented prospective employees across various roles including health, facilities, and early childhood services positions. After discussion, a motion was made by Angela Brown to approve the names and positions presented. Carl Powe seconded the motion. The motion was not carried due to a lack of a quorum.
Sasha Allen — Program: Head Start; Position: Health Coordinator; Location: Greenville Main Office
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Public Health. She has a year of experience working as a Health Educator. She is a SHARE Head Start graduate.
Jonathan McCoppin — Program: Head Start; Position: Facilities Coordinator; Location: Anderson Office
Education Credentials: GED. HVAC, EPA & Confined Spaces Certifications. He has 10 years of experience working as a Facilities Manager.
Nekeia Cummings — Program: Head Start; Position: Early Childhood Services Facilitator; Location: Greenville Main Office
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Early Childhood Education. She has 26 years of experience working with young children and managing a military-based preschool.
Alycia Noll — Program: Head Start; Position: Teacher II; Location: Golden Strip
Education Credentials: Associate’s Degree: Early Childhood Education. She has 15+ years of experience working with young children at daycare centers & summer camps.
Shawna McCurry — Program: Head Start; Position: Teacher III; Location: Parker
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Educational Studies. She has 9 years of experience working with infants to pre-kindergarten-aged children.
Ashley Ricketts — Program: Head Start; Position: Teacher III; Location: Willis H. Crosby
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education. She has 20 years of experience working with young children in daycare centers and pre-kindergarten.
Tiyonnah Brown — Program: Head Start; Position: Teacher III; Location: North Franklin Road
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Early Childhood Education & Family and Consumer Science. She has 3+ years of experience working with children of all ages in childcare centers.
Benjaretta Green — Program: Head Start; Position: Teacher III; Location: Pleasant Valley
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Family & Consumer Science. She has 5 years of experience working in a Head Start Program as a teacher.
Mikayla Foggie — Program: Head Start; Position: Teacher III; Location: Clemson
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Family & Consumer Science/Business. She has 9 years of experience working with children of all ages as a Camp Director & Elementary School Assistant.
Bristol Cardenas — Program: Head Start; Position: Substitute Teacher Assistant; Location: Golden Strip
Education Credentials: High School Diploma. She has 2 years of experience working with young children in childcare centers.
Zachary Mullens — Program: Head Start; Position: Substitute Teacher Assistant; Location: Pickens
Education Credentials: High School Diploma. He completed his college labs at Pickens Head Start Center. He volunteers with Special Olympics annually.
She’Deja Martin — Program: Early Head Start; Position: Teacher III; Location: Golden Strip
Education Credentials: Bachelor’s Degree: Human & Health Sciences. She has a year of experience working with young children.
Tytianna Cullins — Program: Early Head Start; Position: Classroom Aide; Location: BHW
Education Credentials: High School Diploma. She has 5 years of experience working with children of all ages at daycare centers.
Akira McCants — Program: Early Head Start; Position: Substitute Teacher; Location: Easley Bridge Road
Education Credentials: High School Diploma. She has 2 years of experience working with toddlers & 3-year-olds.
Approval of Camera Monitoring Policy:
Ms. Vaughn presented the Camera Monitoring policy. This policy is in place to enhance oversight following recent incidents. We will begin weekly camera monitoring of classrooms using the new team of seven administrators once all camera systems are updated. After discussion, Angela Brown made a motion to approve the Camera Monitoring policy as presented. Rosalind Moss seconded the motion. The motion was not carried due to a lack of a quorum. Approval of Child Incident Policy:
Ms. Vaughn presented a new Incident Reporting Policy required by the Office of Head Start, which covers reporting of child abuse, neglect, and accidents. There is a requirement to report incidents to supervisors and the Office of Head Start within seven calendar days. After discussion, Carl Powe made a motion to approve the Child Incident policy. Angela Brown seconded the motion. The motion was not carried due to a lack of a quorum.
Approval of Non-Federal Share Waiver:
Doris Pitchford, Director of Business and Finance, presented a non-federal share waiver requesting approval for $389,640 that could not be collected in-kind. She explained that we did much better this year in collecting in-kind, however are still short of meeting requirements. After discussion, Tajae Smith made a motion to approve the Non-Federal Share Waiver as presented. Angela Brown seconded the motion. Motion was not carried due to a lack of a quorum.
Director’s Report:
Shannon Vaughn, Director of Children & Family Development outlined upcoming changes, including a new venue at Furman University for pre-service training starting the week of August 3rd. Furman University is a lot cheaper to rent than the Greenville Convention Center which we have used in previous years. Ms. Vaughn informed the council that open house for all Head Start/EHS centers will take place on August 10th. The children will start school on August 11th. We will continue to focus on achieving full enrollment for the upcoming program year, with updates to be provided throughout the year. Ms. Vaughn informed the council on child outcomes. We are continuing to make gains with the children in our infant and toddler group. We are providing training this summer for Center Managers and Family Advocate staff centered around our RAN and how to build a good culture in the centers. In closing, Ms. Vaughn enlightened the council that we were close to getting our required in-kind. We will continue to try harder next school year. Attendance fell to 94% this summer due to parents not bringing children to school after transitioning ceremonies and it being the summer months. After discussion, Angela Brown made a motion to accept the director’s report as presented. Rosalind Moss seconded the motion. The motion was not carried due to a lack of a quorum.
Budget Review:
The budget review was presented by Doris Pitchford, Director of Business & Finance. Ms. Pitchford informed the council that the budget for 2025-2026 ended June 30th with the new budget starting July 1st. In Head Start we went over $44,755 and in EHS the budget shows $344,301 which will be spent after we reconcile billing. Ms. Angela asked a question regarding what falls under non-federal share and what items we can accept as in-kind. Ms. Doris provided examples and explained different items that we can accept on how in-kind is calculated. She provided the credit card expenditure report and asked the council if there were any questions. After discussion, Tajae Smith made a motion to accept the budget review as presented. Rosalind Moss seconded the motion. The motion was not carried due to a lack of a quorum.
In closing, Patrice Hawthorne informed the council that she would follow the by-laws and send an e-mail to the Policy Council seeking approval / disapproval due to a lack of a quorum. Ms. Angela suggested using google forms to create a list of needed approvals and a QR code to make it easier for members of the council to respond. Patrice will provide a deadline for responses.
Recorded by Rosalind Moss, Acting Secretary
Carl Telford, Chair
