Council hears Head Start pay report; federal guidance, job classifications and retro pay prompt follow-up

At the Metropolitan Council’s administrative-report portion of the meeting the Office of Human Development and Services (DHDS) and the city-parish human-resources office briefed the council on implementation of a Head Start wage-adjustment plan that the council previously approved.

Head Start and DHDS leaders told the council the agency received federal approval and that, under Office of Head Start guidance, “all Head Start staff are to receive those increases” as part of an approved funding proposal submitted earlier in the fiscal year. Dr. (first name) Roberts, DHDS leadership and program staff said the increases were intended to improve recruitment and retention and to be applied to education and program staff as well as other Head Start personnel; DHDS said the program is at full enrollment (reported as 657 children) and that maintaining staff is essential.

Councilmembers and several Head Start employees in public comment raised concerns about retroactive payments. A Head Start employee representative said some classification groups — including building attendants, kitchen staff and clerical workers — had not received retroactive pay. The HR office explained it could not authorize retroactive payments for a new job classification that did not exist in the parish pay plan during the retroactive period. HR said some job titles were revised since Jan. 2025 and those new classifications did not exist at the earlier date, so they do not meet the legal threshold HR uses to issue retroactive pay for a previously non-existent title. HR also said the clerical positions are substantially similar to clerical positions used across city-parish government, and creating a new clerical class just for Head Start would create classification parity issues.

DHDS and council members described a timeline of communications: the approved federal wage proposal was finalized late last year and some implementation steps were attempted earlier; time and procedural constraints prevented full earlier implementation. Council members pressed HR and the parish attorney to find a legal path to address affected workers’ claims. HR and the parish attorney said they will review the situation, and an administrative call with the Office of Head Start was scheduled for Sept. 10 to obtain clarifying guidance from the federal agency about the positions covered and implementation deadlines.

Council members urged rapid follow-up and transparency. Councilman Kenny and Councilwoman McCollin emphasized urgency and asked HR and the parish attorney to work with DHDS to examine whether legal or administrative remedies can be applied without creating an unlawful disparity across city-parish classifications. DHDS leaders asked the council to help secure the funds and to advocate for their staff: Dr. (first name) Sanders said council and staff must ensure the parish remains compliant with the Head Start grant terms or risk reduced federal funding. HR said it will pursue the scheduled clarifying call with Office of Head Start and that the parish attorney would look for options to address title-change cases and potential retroactive pay for affected employees.

What’s next: HR and the parish attorney will review legal options and return to council; DHDS and Head Start leadership will continue to engage the Office of Head Start to ensure compliance. Councilmembers requested a 30-day follow-up and more direct communication with affected employees.