NEW CASTLE —
The Neshannock Township School District has reached a settlement with the parent of a special-needs child.
At its meeting this month, the board agreed to pay attorney’s fees and put money aside toward the boy’s education. Board members also agreed to pay for the student to attend a life skills program at The Watson Institute Behavior Support Academy in Sewickley. The district will be charged $42,000 per year, to be paid on a pro-rated basis for the first year.
This agreement was negotiated between the family and district, rather than handled as a lawsuit, said attorney Jeffrey Ruder of Pittsburgh. A growing number of children diagnosed with autism places a strain on the districts’ budgets, Ruder said.
The board also:
•Agreed to pay the district’s share of the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center’s 2012-13 budget.
•Hired Robecca McLean as a paraprofessional to replace library aide Rhonda Dolin, whose resignation was accepted retroactive to Dec. 22.
•Authorized a student to attend a life skills program at John F. Kennedy Elementary School beginning Jan. 19. Tuition paid by the district will be $105.56 per day plus $15 per hour for a one-on-one aide.
•Named Jackie Julian Russell as a student teacher for the second semester.
•Received a Keystone Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Education indicating adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years, the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
•Approved substitute elementary teachers Candace Fava, Krystle Fava and Nikki-Jo Piccirillo; substitute secretary, para-professional and playground supervisor, Maryanne Ascione and Tracy Romano.
•Approved a new commercial art and design course.
Schools
Related Photos
Discussion
In The Schools: Neshannock settles with parent
- Schools
-
-
New Castle district gives early budget highlights
Balancing of the New Castle Area School District’s 2012-13 budget will not require a property tax increase.
The school board has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday to introduce its spending plan totaling $40,538,389 for next school year. That represents a 3.7 percent or $1,461,942 increase from this year’s budget. -
Mohawk approves administrator raises
The Mohawk Area School Board last week authorized raises of $2,999 for key district administrators next school year.
-
Middle schoolers swarm to reading festival
The rewards of reading are fruitful, and, as the participants in this year’s Lawrence County Reading Festival would say, sweet. Yesterday, fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders from nearly every school in the county participated in the festival at George Washington Intermediate School.
-
Union proposes budget without tax hike
Union’s school board introduced a $10 million budget with no tax increase for 2012-13. However, cuts in personnel and programs are being proposed in order to balance the budget.
-
Shenango officials accept pay freeze
Administrators in the Shenango school district have accepted a wage freeze for the 2012-13 year. Dr. Michael Schreck, acting superintendent, said the freeze affects high school principal Joe McCormick, assistant principal Dan Mayer, director of special education Christine Moon, elementary principal Adam Vincent and technology director Rob Heath.
-
Neshannock to establish cyber academy
Neshannock will begin a cyber/charter school next year. The board last week agreed to contract with VLN Partners of Pittsburgh. The district will pay a $16,750 annual fee for the customized online plan plus an additional $150 for each student who participates in the program and each teacher who taps into its resources.
-
Neshannock school trail to memorialize Mr. T
The late John Thompson will never know the magnitude of admiration he had from his students and colleagues. The good-natured bowtie-clad man who gained popularity among Neshannock High School students with his “bee dance” and his ever-flowing science lore, collapsed in his classroom two years ago and died.
-
Union could see cuts to avoid tax hike
The Union Area School District is looking at ways to cut expenses in order to avoid a tax increase. A budget for the 2012-13 school will be introduced at Wednesday’s board meeting, but all aspects of the financial plan are still being discussed, superintendent Dr. Alfonso “Butch” Angelucci said.
-
Neshannock anticipates school tax hike
The Neshannock school district is looking at a 2 percent property tax increase for next year. Superintendent Dr. Mary Todora said the board’s budget and finance committee anticipates an increase that does not exceed what is allowed under state law — Act 1 of 2006.
-
High School Basketball: Locke named new coach at Laurel
Ken Locke is coming home. Well, technically, he never left — but he’s really back now. Locke was hired as the Laurel High boys basketball coach last night by the Laurel School Board.
- More Schools Headlines
-
