Anonymous Staff Questions

These questions have been asked anonymously by our staff. Below are the answers from the Program Director. Staff can go to this page to ask a question.

Q: Explain how Head Start teacher who do not have degrees will be able to keep their jobs after years of service with Head Start and how will they be able to continue their education to get Bachelor\'s Degree? Also will you ever separeate Teachers/Drivers?
A: All Mercer County Head Start / Early Head Start teachers have a Bachelors Degree or higher (as mandated by the Performance Standards).
We're not sure what you mean by separating teachers/drivers. Classroom teachers are not bus drivers. Busses and bus drivers are contracted services, except for Linda, who drives a program bus.

Q: Terri: As the teacher position for Reynolds II classroom has been recently posted, I have noticed that it has HSSAP / state behind. This has never been posted in the past and I am wondering why it is of importance now?
A: This question was explained in depth at the May 15, 2009 in-service meeting at the church. If you have any further questions please contact Diane Daly.

Q: I am just curious as to why some staff at the Hetra building are permitted to come and go as they please, make their own hours, park in designated no parking spaces,make their own parking spaces and delegate their jobs to others...etc...while the majority of us follow the rules and have respect enough for our jobs to be responsible no matter how disappointed we are. Some of us feel we are working many jobs to fill in where others are lacking. This is one reason morale is the way it is.
A: Much of this has already been addressed and corrected. Thanks for your concern.

Q: How can we improve moral in the program its a great program but staff and management need to work together to make it stay a good program.
A: Thank you for your concern, and we can all agree we have a great program.In order to address your concerns on improving morale, could you be more specific on what the issues are. Is it related to communication, timeframes, etc.? We do want to work together and whatever suggestions staff may have, it would be very much appreciated.

Q: The funding cuts that are allegedly being proposed up to 25%, how will this effect the staff, such as assistents, subs and rotators along with teachers?
A:I can only say that they are “alleged” cuts and the only directive we have been given is to submit ALL refunding applications with the current funding levels in place.

Q:When does the present staff become aware that they will have a job for the 2011-2012 school year? Will any cuts to Pre-K affect Head Start in that those associated with Pre-K can bid on jobs at Head Start or does the staff at Head Start are the first to bid on the open jobs at Head Start? Rumors are flying!
A:I can only say that as soon as I get word from both the state and federal, I will let all staff know. But for now, everything is status quo! All I know you can read online or get from the news. It seems that the state is still at flat funding and Head Start is ok through the end of this year. I know it is frustrating, but really no one will know until the budgets are final and approved.

Q:We notice that the Director job has been modified to \"Master Degree Preffered\". Still tayloring the job for Wendy? We hope that Ron sees through this smoke screen and hires someone qualified. Concerned Teachers.
A:My name is David Leyde, President of Policy Council. I am completing my third year of service on Policy Council. I am the Branch Manager of the Hubbard Office of First National Bank. I have grown to understand and appreciate the quality of services provided through the programs of Mercer County Head Start. I would like to take this opportunity to describe the search process for the new Program Director. There is a Search Committee in place. The committee includes me, Dr. Patricia Scheffler (Grove City College professor and Policy Council member), Dr. Lora-Adams King (FASD Superintendent), an FASD board member, and Dick English and Ray Benedict (CAPMC board members). Ron Errett, CEO/President of CAPMC, is facilitating the committee. The Search Committee met on Tuesday, May 3rd to finalize the job description and job posting. The job announcement was placed on the MCHS website, CAPMC website, state community action network, PHSA website, Career Link system, The Herald, The Vindicator, and distributed to CAPMC staff and MCHS staff. After reviewing initial applications, the Search Committee re-evaluated the job posting and revised the posting by adding that a Master’s degree “is preferred” and requiring “early childhood education” experience. The committee felt this revision would not limit the search or exclude qualified candidates that have experience in the field. This modified job announcement was updated to all of the above-listed distribution points. It is the duty of this Search Committee to select the best candidate for this position period. I can assure you that every member of the Search Committee is dedicated to that successful conclusion. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at 330-534-1933 or Leyde@fnb-corp.com. David Leyde Policy Council President

Comment:: I have worked for MCHS for six years as a maintenance man and served the last three years as the Union President. After observing Wendy King\'s job performance, especially when dealing with the ongoing problems and emergencies at Head Start, I personally feel that she would make an excellent Executive Director. Dealing with Wendy with union issues, I find her to be honest, highly intelligent, and willing to compromise for the good of the program. For what it\'s worth, I would endorse Wendy for the director position. I welcome anyone to discuss my feelings expressed in this letter. Thanks, Phil Disko President MCHS ESP
Reply:In Response to the above, it’s encouraging to see the concerns by staff regarding the replacement of the Program Director. However, the final decision is completely in the hands of the search committee.

Q:can you please let us know our room assignments BEFORE August, so that we may enjoy some of our summer and not have to worry where we are going to be. It would also help those staff members that might have to make arrangements for their children (i.e. daycare, babysitters, etc.)
A:We will make every effort to inform you as soon as we are able. We are sometimes notified late July early August of resignations. We are currently waiting for approval for proposed program changes from our funding sources. As soon as we are notified staff will be informed.

Q:when are the changes in education for teachers and assistants supposed to become effective? When are you going to enforce it with staff, and why should staff members who are not making an effort or willing to meet those standards have more rights because of senoirity? Waiting for the time to come then finding a new job is insulting to those of us that have spent money on furthering our education.
A:All staff has been notified of current and changing requirements in all programs to maintain their employment status. If staff does not meet the requirements by the State and Federal deadline they jeopardize their employment.

Q:instead of having our first day back at an all day meeting, why don\'t we go to our classrooms? We could come to hetra to("sign in" like we "sign out" at the end of the year. That way we can pick up our files, keys, books, meet and greet stuff, etc, and take it to the classroom, instead of us having to lug it all home, then take it to the classroom. The next day we can have the welcome back meeting with everyone. If we needed any information that couldn't wait a day, we could have a mini-cluster at Hetra in the morning, then go to our rooms.
A:The tentative calendar for 2011-2012 reflects two working days in classrooms prior to an “All Staff” meeting.

Q:: I was just wondering when we were going to be offcially informed about the changes to transportation? (I.E. more classrooms losing bussing) Classroom staff members value the partnership between teachers and assistants. If there are shifts and moves of assistants because of a change in transportation, it will cause a huge disruption. Classrooms will suffer and morale will bottom out. With a review year coming up, this will not be a very good reflection on our great program to have unhappy staff.
A:We are currently waiting for approval for the proposed program changes from our funding sources. As soon as we are notified staff will be informed.

Q:When will we find out who the new director is?
A:The search committee is currently in the process of selecting and interviewing potential candidates. The new Director must be approved by our Policy Council, Farrell Area School District, CAPMC Board and our regional III office. Staff will be notified once a new Director has been named.

Q:are all classroom staff going to remain in their 2010-2011 classrooms for the 2011-2012 school year even though there are changes to classroom hours because of bussing cuts? Or are assistants going to be shuffled around. I hope this isn't the case.
A:Per bargaining unit contract classroom assistants, based on seniority will be informed by Association President and HR Manager of available workday schedule, program positions and hourly rate.

Q:If so many classrooms are going to be losing transportation, why do we need a transportation supervisor? Especially a full-time one?
A:The accurate job title is Transportation/Supply Supervisor. This position is a 210 day position. The job duties include but not limited to vender contacts and meetings, training drivers, staff and parents, supervising and evaluating bus monitors, purchasing, filling, sorting, packing and delivering supplies to all programs. In addition, updating and revising policies, procedures and a transportation service area plan.

Comment: IMHO you've got the right anwser!

Q:Question: When do Rotators start? I have heard it is the 29th of Aug and yet students do not start school till September 15th? Has there been cuts in the amount of rotators? Are those who are already rotators safe in thinking they have a job for the 2011 -2012 school year?
A:Calendars are tentative at this point in time. We have rotating assistants in different programs. Staff start dates are depended upon your position and the program calendar by which you are employed.

Q:This is not so much a question, but a concern. We are trying to show, we are up to date and effective. Our web page has a donation goal for 2008, child outcome assessment results from 2007 and most recent newsletter is from 2009!!! The only thing updated on our page is job openings which seem to always be the same anyway. Who is responsible for the web page and why isn't it updated regularly? Don't we have 23 classrooms now?
A:Or goal is to have the website updated with new information including Outcomes for 2010-2011 and program information by September 1, 2011. We have had seven classrooms change locations this summer. In an effort to include all the updated information including staff changes we were waiting until the end of August early September.

Q:Is it just the classroom assitants that will be affected by all the "changes"?
A:Unable to reply to question unless “CHANGES” is specified

Q: Question: I'm not sure if you realize it by all the questions, but we are very concerned about all the mystery changes. Why are we always the last to know everything. Why are all the answers that are given vague?
A:There are no mystery changes. Information should not be shared with staff until it is confirmed. At times changes are written into the refunding applications and continuation grants. We are not notified immediately. It is not necessary to cause undo stress to staff until information is absolute. Many times rumors are incorrect information.

Q:Why are so many classrooms losing transportation.
A:Transportation is not a requirement of Head Start. In an effort to meet all of the requirements of Head Start including staff salaries, increases in health insurance and retirement transportation needed to be cut in some areas.

Comment:This isn't a question, just a comment. I don't know when all these questions were asked, but it's nice to see a response even though some questions may be uncomfortable. Thank you.