More Evidence of Misconduct by Head Start Bureau Chief - July 12, 2004 Vol.5, No.14

July 12, 2004 Vol.5, No.14:

Published: 07/12/2004

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More Evidence of Misconduct by Head Start Bureau Chief

On June 30, the National Head Start Association issued a statement calling for the immediate resignation of Windy Hill, the U.S. Head Start Bureau Chief. Hill is the subject of an Inspector General investigation into misconduct during her tenure as head of a Texas Head Start agency prior to coming to Washington. The investigation began after NHSA released details of Hill's misconduct in April, alleging thousands of dollars in unauthorized pay, vacation time and undocumented expenses. Hill has announced her resignation effective in November, but NHSA released new details of misconduct and said the resignation should be effective immediately.

Last year Hill sent letters to Head Start grantees that contained confusing and inaccurate information about grantees' right to lobby on Head Start issues. The letter threatened sanctions against programs and parents who engaged in lobbying activity. After NHSA filed a lawsuit, HHS was forced to send a corrected letter to all Head Start programs.

In addition to its previous allegations, NHSA's new announcement said Hill hired the suspended Texas accountant that reviewed her programs as a HHS reviewer of Head Start programs. The group also alleged that Hill began her job at HHS while on "leave of absence" from the Texas program, without disclosing that fact to her board or in the Public Financial Disclosure Report required by ethics laws.