Anson County board approves Head Start kitchen upfit by Union County Community Action using $197,000 in federal funds

The Anson County Board of Education on a called meeting approved a request from Union County Community Action to upfit a Head Start kitchen at a school facility, the board said.

Union County Community Action’s representative told the board the project is supported by $197,000 in federal Head Start funds and that the agency expects to match about $47,000 from retained earnings, noting “When we spend federal money, they give you 80 cents of the project cost.” The representative said the agency has contacted the health department and has quotes from licensed general contractors and equipment vendors and hopes to begin work as soon as approvals are finalized.

Board members asked for assurances about fixtures and lease terms. The agency representative said fixtures that are permanently affixed — such as hoods, stoves and dishwashers — would remain with the school under the lease and that UCCCA (the agency) does not intend to abandon the center. A board member noted that because Head Start operates as a daycare, the kitchen will be permitted under the daycare/Head Start permit rather than as a standalone school cafeteria permit; a required accessible hand sink was confirmed as present or corrected.

A board member identified in the transcript as “Dr.” moved to approve the request; a second was recorded and the board approved the measure by voice vote. The agency representative said the lease requires a written request and offered to work with district staff to finalize any documentation and equipment selection.

The approval allows the agency to proceed with contractor selection and equipment procurement; the representative said their board of directors will convene this week to select equipment and that the agency will follow federal and health-department requirements. The transcript does not specify a firm name for contractors or an exact start date.