My name is Kevin Haney and I preside as the current chairperson on the Head Start Policy Council Committee within your district. I am also a parent of a child whom benefits from the services from the Head Start program, thus I wear two hats regarding my interest in the affairs of the Hillsborough County Head Start program. I write in regards to your recently distributed letter titled:
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
This letter, dated December 29, 2010, was initially presented to me during an informal meeting with Mr. David Rogoff, director of Family and Aging Services and representative of the Board of County Commissioners, and Mr. Louis Finney, Head Start Division Director.
It is with utter disgust that I write this retort to what I believe, as a parent and a member of the Head Start Executive Policy Committee, your letter conveys to those readers whom are under the guise that you represent them and their best interests in regards to the management and staff of the Head Start foundation. [private]This should not be considered surprising information since this same sentiment was shared with Mr. Rogoff and Mr. Finney during our informal meeting. This letter introduces several points of grave importance that I believe you have purposely eluded to discuss, but expect full support of:
– Accusatory language on an open investigation that still awaits affirmation of the suggested disciplinary action.
– Suspicious language that suggests to its readers (the parents) that faulty leadership exists within the Head Start Program, thus they should be weary of those whom hold managerial positions on whether they are performing in an exemplary fashion. This point is cemented within your inclusion of the concern for the potential loss of Federal grant dollars.
– Fallacious insinuations that the rumored “privatization” talks were orchestrated by those whom are currently under some point of investigation due to alleged dereliction of duty, when in-fact substantial information from reputable sources show that these rumors regarding “privatization” should be of great concern to the parents, faculty, and staff involved with Head Start.
– (And Lastly) your cavalier expression in suggestion of the “Head Start children and parents” to consider an increased collaboration with the Hillsborough County School District. Yet you fail to expand the knowledge-base of your readers by explaining the potential ramifications of such an increased relationship, which is inclusive of lessened support services for the parents and the potential reduction of County dollars paid into the program that directly affects the jobs of staff members within the program, which the County would no longer be required to comply to because the Head Start program would no longer be a “County-run” program. And not to fail to mention the covert introduction of Mr. Don Dixon, whom is already slated as an agenda item, to approve the hire for, at the next BOCC meeting scheduled for January 5th. As it is detailed in your letter, Mr. Dixon is to serve within an advisory capacity, although, other extenuating circumstances currently exist that would suggest that Mr. Dixon would have to take a much more integral part in the management and administrative responsibilities, especially in-lieu of the pending “disciplinary actions” of current managerial staff.
Mr. Merrill, your behavior is egregious at best! Your overseeing of behavior that is devoid of sensitivity regarding sensitive matters, and acting as a catalyst to evoke undue concern to the benefactors of the Head Start program (the parents and faculty) by leaking sensitive information to the media, leaves very little of you to be comfortable with. As a member of the BOCC, you should be fully aware and overly expressive in your effort to apply the general courtesy of Shared Governance with the Head Start senior staff members and the inclusion of sensitive material with the Executive Policy Committee, of whom are directly responsible with educating the full Policy Council and parents of Head Start of what affects the Head Start program.
Any one with an inkling of intelligence can see that a fiasco-of-sorts is being instigated and manipulated. I caution you to take a more candid look at the people whom you claim to be an advocate for. The parents and the Head Start staff deserve better leadership from you. We cannot continue to condone this kind of behavior from you and your staff. We request “Full Disclosure”, but will be content with being aptly informed regarding matters affecting Head Start.
I look forward to addressing your council (The Board of County Commissioners) on January 5th, 2011.
Respectfully,
Kevin Haney
Chair[/private]
