School Board Notes
The Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Board of Directors held their regularly scheduled meeting on
Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 7:30 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Angus, Mr. Bovalino, Ms. Cook, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Ross, Mr. Bufalini, Mr.
Yanyanin and Mr. McGeehan
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Battalini, Mrs. Schlegel, Mr. Santillo, Mrs. Acon and Ms. Robbins
OTHERS PRESENT: Dr. Rosendale, Dr. Italia, Attorney Al Steff, Ms. Weldon, Mrs. Murtha, Mrs.
Ceremuga, Mrs. Harmotto, Mrs. LeDonne, Mrs. Deitch, Mrs. Riley, Mrs. Fencil, Ms. Falk, Mrs. Phillips
and Mrs. Ference
ACTION TAKEN:
1. The Board took action to seat the following new Board member - Mr. Dante Ross representing
Central Valley School District.
2. The Board elected Mr. Scott Angus as Vice President and Mr. Mitchell Yanyanin as Secretary to
the BVIU Board of Directors.
3. The Board filled a vacancy on the Special Pupil Services staff – Miss Allison Rodgers, Brodhead
Road, Aliquippa.
4. The Board filled a vacancy on the Non Public School staff – Miss Kimberly Schachner, Heinz
Street, Pittsburgh, PA.
5. The Board granted Mrs. Chelsea Contenta, Special Education Teacher a leave of absence
beginning October 4, 2013 through the end of the first semester of the 2013 – 2014 school year.
6. The BVIU participates in the e-Signature Pilot for PDE e-Grants System to increase efficiency
and reduce costs. The Board approved Dr. Eric G. Rosendale, Executive Director, as the
authorized officer of the e-Grant System.
7. The Board approved the list of substitute teachers, teacher aides and custodians for the 2013 –
2014 school year,
8. The Board took action to approve the supervisory assignments for the 2013 – 2014 school year.
9. The Board approved the part-time position hourly and daily rates as presented below:
Lunchroom Aide
Substitute Teacher
Substitute Teacher Aide
Substitute Custodian
2012 - 2013
2013 - 2014
Increase
$11.00
$85.00
$51.00
$11.00
$11.00
$85.00
$51.00
$11.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
10. The Board approved salary increases for Mrs. Lori Ceremuga, Director of Instruction &
Technology and Mrs. Annie Devine, Coordinator of District Services.
11. The Board took action to approve the online Theory Driver Education Program Application.
12. The Board approved the Early Intervention Project Budget in the amount of $2,203,052.
13. The Board authorized an increase in pay for the part time English as a Second Language
Teachers. They have not had a salary adjustment since 2010.
BVIU BOARD NOTES #453
2
AUGUST 28, 2013
14. The Board approved the following Continuing Professional Education course instructors for the
fall 2013 term:
Instructor
Rhonda & Michael
Bielawski
Address
Bradford Woods
Colleen Anzio
Rick Roth
Beaver
Glenshaw
Kathleen Himes
Cristine WagnerDeitch and Lori
Ceremuga
Delmont
Baden
Hermitage
Course
Instructor's
Fee
Addressing Learning Disabilities in Education:
Inclusive Practices
ADHD in Education: Inclusive Practices
Autism in Educations: Inclusive Practices
$1800.00
A-Z Guide on Positive Discipline
Active & Engaging Strategies for the Inclusive
Classroom
Achieving Excellence -14 Things that Matter
Most
ABC’s on Teaching Strategies for Pre-K
A+ Ideas for Every Student’s Success
21ST Century Educator Essentials
“Apps” & iPads in the K-12 Classroom
$1800.00
1800.00
A Closer Look at Learning Disabilities : A
Refresher
Course for all Educators
Are Your Students Tuned In? strategies for
Engaging
Every Student
Break the Ice: Icebreakers for All Ages
Building Bridges: Working With Difficult Parents
$1800.00
Reading Apprenticeship Training
1800.00
1800.00
1800.00
1800.00
1800.00
$1800.00
1800.00
1800.00
1800.00
1800.00
$250.00
15. The Board reviewed the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit Board Policy: Section II – Duties of
the Director of Curriculum Services, Series 2003.
ADDENDUM ITEMS - NONE
CORRESPONDENCE
a. A letter from Mr. John Tommasini, PDE
b. A letter from PDE regarding the On-Line Theory Course
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A.
BVIU Administrative Staff Realignment
The mission of the BVIU is to provide quality and progressive educational services to support
the schools and the community of Beaver County. Since my appointment, we have been busy
planning and strategizing to fulfill our mission. One outcome of this planning was a realignment
of the current staff. This realignment will help ensure we have the right people focused on the
projects tied most closely with their talents, abilities and passions. The administrative team is
excited about the future and continues to capitalize on opportunities. A few examples of how
our administrative team is working toward the future are listed below.
 RCI – Summer School – Tutoring Program
 CPE Courses – Online CPE Courses – Online Certification Courses
BVIU BOARD NOTES #453



B.
3
AUGUST 28, 2013
eFund Grant H.E.A.T. Courses – Revised to support Keystone to Opportunity Initiative
Partnership with Private Industry Council for Head Start – Continued partnership with future
endeavors
PA Institute for Instructional Coaches (PIIC) – Service offering Coaches to districts
2013-2014 School Opening
The Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit school year began with in-service for teachers and teacher
aides on August 23 and 26, 2013, and the first day on August 27, 2013. There are one hundred
thirty-four (134) students enrolled at New Horizon School in fifteen (15) classrooms and one (1)
Early Intervention classroom with additional pre-school age children (approximately 30). In
addition to the classroom teachers, a nurse, three speech therapists, and a physical therapist
are on the BVIU staff.
In addition to New Horizon School, students will attend other BVIU operated classrooms in
Beaver County as follows:
Autistic Support
1
Early Intervention
2
The BVIU provides additional education programs to students through its 16.2 itinerant
teachers. A breakdown of itinerant staff is as follows:
Early Intervention
Hearing Support
Learning Support
Guidance Counseling
8
2
.75
.2
Speech and Language
Audiologist
Reading Specialist
Early Intervention Service
Coordinator
1
1
2.25
1
In addition to the teaching staff, there are two supervisors of special classes, five Training and
Consultation staff members, and thirty-seven (37) teacher aides.
C.
New Horizon Facility Update
The summer maintenance program at New Horizon School included the following items:
 Installation of ten new unit ventilators
 Installation of a new security camera system
 Installation of a replacement emergency generator
Once again, the maintenance staff under the direction of Mr. James Lakas, Maintenance
Supervisor, did an outstanding job in preparing the building for the 2013-2014 school year.
D.
Private Industry Council (PIC)
The BVIU administration has been working closely with the Private Industry Council (PIC) as
they embark on their new role as the administrator of the Beaver County Head Start Program.
As a partner in the initiative, they have asked me to join their Board of Directors. I have
accepted their offer and look forward to working with them to develop an even stronger
relationship as we prepare our young people for the future.
E.
Data Quality Council
Our staff has been working with PDE and other regional IU’s to develop and implement the Data
Quality Council. The mission of the Data Quality Council is to foster an environment that
promotes data quality, data governance, report understanding and improved accuracy in data
reporting for all who touch district data. The goals are to create a networking environment
among districts, share techniques for improving reporting accuracy, share ways to maximize
revenues and develop a better understanding of the Pennsylvania Information Management
BVIU BOARD NOTES #453
4
AUGUST 28, 2013
System (PIMS) report submissions. This new group has meetings scheduled the third
Wednesday of the month from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
F.
Comprehensive Planning
The BVIU is embarking on the initial stages of the Comprehensive Planning. The administrative
staff participated in a training session on August 6, 2013. This half-day session provided
information on the timeline for implementation, plan details, and an overview of the web-based
planning tool. We anticipate starting the official process in November 2013. The plan will need
to be available in September/October, 2014 for a 28-day public review and submitted to the
Board for approval at the November 2014 Board meeting. The plan will take effect July 1, 2015.
G.
Special School Authority Board Update
The Special School Authority Board met August 21, 2013. They adopted the resolutions
granting the conveyance of the premises occupied by the New Horizon School to the Board of
School Directors of the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit by way of a 99-year lease for the
operation, maintenance and control of the building and grounds of the New Horizon School.
They also ratified, affirmed and approved the action taken by the Board of School Directors of
the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit by granting the right of entry to Sunoco Pipeline, LT, for the
installation and maintenance of the subject pipeline.
H.
PSBA Voting Delegate
Our Board is invited to appoint a voting delegate to participate in the PSBA Legislative Council
meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, during the School Leadership Conference in Hershey.
The Board needs to take action to appoint a delegate.
I.
Beaver County Summer Academy
This year marked the 25th year of the Beaver County Summer Academy. There were 28
classes offered; 10 of them were new. A total of 163 students participated with a total of 325
registrations.
Fifteen staff members were employed for the duties of co-coordinators and class instructors.
Five new instructors were employed this year and each stated that they would be willing to
return.
J.
Policy Manual Update
Over the course of the last few weeks, circumstances arose requiring us to refer to our Policy
Manual for information needed for certification. Upon review, we recognize the need to create a
plan to review and update the manual. The administration will be work collaboratively to
develop this plan and report back to the Board.
K.
Keystone to Opportunity / H.E.A.T. Course Summary
Schools granted the KtO funding across the state are required to take the H.E.A.T. Literacy
courses as a requirement for the grant. For this professional development initiative, the BVIU
will be responsible for the administration and technical aspects of the KtO H.E.A.T. online
courses. Non-KtO schools may also register for the online courses for a fee of $125.00 per
person. Contact Lori Ceremuga ([email protected]) 724-7800 extension 3009 for details.
L.
Arbitrations and Court Decisions
A copy of recent arbitration/court cases on file in the BVIU Administrative Office is provided for
your review.
BVIU BOARD NOTES #453
5
AUGUST 28, 2013
M.
CPE Course Summary
Provided for your review is the 2012 – 2013 CPE Course Summary.
N.
Dates to Remember
September
2 – Labor Day - BVIU central office closed
25 – BVIU Board of Directors’ Meeting – Conference Room 211, 7:30 PM
26 - Beaver County CTC Joint Committee Meeting – 7:30 PM, Conference Room
October
14 – County Wide In-Service
14 – 18 – School Leadership Conference – Hershey
23 – BVIU Board of Directors’ Meeting – Conference Room 211, 7:30 PM
24 – Beaver County CTC Joint Committee Meeting – 7:30 PM, Conference
Room
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Mr. Steff advised the Board that the Special School Authority Board met on
August 21, 2013. They adopted the resolutions granting the conveyance of the premises occupied by
the New Horizon School to the Board of School Directors of the BVIU by way of a 99-year lease for the
operation, maintenance and control of the building and grounds of New Horizon School. They also
approved the action of the BVU Board by granting the right of entry to Sunoco Pipeline, LT.
OTHER BUSINESS – Mr. McGeehan asked everyone to pause for a moment of silence in memory of Mr.
Marvin Bahm, BVIU Vice President, who recently passed away. Mr. McGeehan stated that Mr. Bahm
had been a dedicated Board member for many years. Dr. Rosendale stated that a book will be
donated to New Horizon School Library in Mr. Bahm’s honor.
The funding of charter schools was discussed.
Superintendents at the next SAC meeting.
Dr. Rosendale will discuss this issue with the
The Board approved an agreement with Catapult Learning, LLC to provide counseling services to
Quigley High School under Act 89 for the 2013-2014 school year.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Eric G. Rosendale
Executive Director
EGR/cbf