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Metro Council approves Head Start pay changes amid uncertainty over federal grant
Summary
The Metropolitan Council approved changes to Head Start job classifications, new positions and retroactive pay, while officials warned the program's federal grant — which funds Head Start entirely — had not been confirmed for the next funding year and could be at risk.
The Metropolitan Council on May 20 approved amendments to the city'parish pay plan and position allotments for the Department of Human Development and Services (Head Start), while staff, council members and workers warned that the federal Head Start grant that fully funds the program had not been confirmed and could expire June 30.
The council voted to implement pay-grade changes, to pay retroactive wages back to Jan. 11, 2025, and to create new Head Start job classifications and positions. Motion to approve the package was made by Councilman Hudson and seconded by Councilman Hurst; the measure passed.
The vote followed public comment from Head Start clerical employees who said they were left out of the pay changes. Carol Wolf Harris, speaking on behalf of clerical staff, said supervisors had previously told clerical workers they would be renamed to allow pay parity but that the renaming had not happened. "We feel like it's unfair. It's, discriminating," Harris told the council. She asked that clerical staff be included in…
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