August 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - IU1 Board of Directors
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1. OPENING ITEMS
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1.A. Call To Order
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1.B. Roll Call
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1.C. Pledge of Allegiance
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1.D. Approval of Minutes from June 25, 2026 Board Meeting
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1.E. Approval of the August 13, 2026 Agenda
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2. UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS
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2.A. Comments from the Executive Director
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3. EXECUTIVE SESSION
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3.A. Convene into Executive Session
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3.B. Reconvene in Public Session
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4. SOLICITOR REPORT
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5. PERSONNEL
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5.A. Resignations and Retirements
Description:
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5.B. Request for Leaves of Absence
Description:
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5.C. Employment of Temporary Professional Employee Full-Time (Non-Tenured)
Description:
Name: Sarah Benson-Hortert Position: Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Certification: Marshall University/Hearing Impaired PK-12 Certification Salary/Step: $84,730 (Step 19/Masters) (Note* Listed salary is in accordance with current collective bargaining agreement effective through June 30, 2026. The salary for this position recommendation will be in accordance with Step 19-Masters in the collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2026.) *Salary: The salary recommendation is in accordance with the Administrative Regulations of Board Policy 328.1, Advanced Step Placement for Professional Employees. 18 years of professional experience was credited for placement on Step 19, due to the limitation of candidates for the position. Effective Date: August 6, 2026 Name: Paige Piskopus Position: Early Intervention Teacher College/Certification: Pennsylvania Western University-California/Grades PK-4 Salary/Step: $43,000 (Step 1/Bachelors) Note* Listed salary is in accordance with current collective bargaining agreement effective through June 30, 2026. The salary for this position recommendation will be in accordance with Step 1-Bachelors in the collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2026.) Effective Date: August 24, 2026 Name: Chelsea Weid Position: School Social Worker College Certification: Carlow University/School Social Worker PK-12/LSW Salary/Step: $50,425 (Step 2/Social Worker) (Note* Listed salary is in accordance with current collective bargaining agreement effective through June 30, 2026. The salary for this position recommendation will be in accordance with Step 2-Social Worker in the collective bargaining agreement effective July 1, 2026.) *Salary: The salary recommendation is in accordance with the Administrative Regulations of Board Policy 328.1, Advanced Step Placement for Professional Employees. 1 year of professional experience was credited for placement on Step 2, due to the limitation of candidates for the position. Effective Date: August 10, 2026 |
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5.D. Employment of Paraprofessional
Description:
Name: Cole Jooste Hourly Rate: $19.90 Effective Date: August 10, 2026 |
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5.E. Extra Duty Assignment-Central Office Cleaning 2026-27 School Year
Description:
Hourly Rate for extra duty assignment is $22.73 Name: Michele McVicker Name: Rikki Swaney |
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5.F. Substitute Professional and Support Staff for the 2026-2027 School Year
Description:
Professional Substitutes Erica Dickey, 04 Emergency Certification Special Education PK-12 Cathy Torchia, 04 Emergency Certification Special Education PK-12 |
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5.G. Approval of Additional Administrative Duties - Anthony Watkins (Mental Health Program)
Description:
Anthony Watkins in support of the Mental Health Program for the period of July 27, 2026 through August 21, 2026 with a stipend of $100 per day. |
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5.H. Reclassification of Position/Assignment: Administrative Assistant II to Administrative Assistant I
Description:
Name: Paige Perla Hourly Rate: $29.55 Effective Date: September 1, 2026 |
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5.I. Rescind Resignation
Description:
Gertrude Hoptowit, Mental Health Technician, Rescinding Resignation that was to be effective August 15, 2026. |
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5.J. Professional Employee Contracts (Tenure)
Description:
The following employee(s) have completed three (3) years of satisfactory service with Intermediate Unit 1 and are being recommended for a professional contract and tenure. Lisa Bickerstaff |
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5.K. Approval of Personnel Items
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6. POLICIES
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6.A. Policy - First Reading
Description:
The following policies have been reviewed by the Administration and are for first reading; No motion necessary at this time.
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7. ACTION ITEMS - IU1
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7.A. 2026-2027 AEDY Student Handbook for the IU1 McMurray Campus
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7.B. 2026-2027 IU1 Campus School Emergency Operations Plans
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7.C. 2026-2027 IU1 Empowerment School Handbook
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7.D. 2026-2027 IU1 Campus School Handbooks
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7.E. 2026-2027 IU1 Course Catalog and Assessment Calendar
Description:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bZQcAuZMiDOqqL3cMVT1uGVTe-4HES7x/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115589547766852461265&rtpof=true&sd=true
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7.F. 2026-2027 IU1 Partial Hospitalization Program Handbook
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7.G. 2026-2027 Drivers Approval for Student Transportation
Description:
The Administration is submitting the following drivers for the 2026-2027 School Year. All drivers transporting for Intermediate Unit 1 will have the proper Act 24, Act 34, Act 114 and Act 151 clearances. All drivers must submit all proper paperwork/clearances to Intermediate Unit 1 before transporting for 2026-2027. BDJ Transportation Carney, Kenneth Huffman, Traci Mlaker-Brownsville Zazado, Melissa |
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7.H. 2026-2027 Head Teacher Recommendations for IU1 Campus Schools
Description:
IU1 McMurray Campus - Kelly Fallenstein IU1 Waynesburg Campus - Tracey Ross |
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7.I. 2026-2027 Head Teacher Recommendation for Early Intervention
Description:
2026-2027 EI Head Teachers Sandy Harris Jessica Lund Jessica McClellan Charity Ridenour Doreen Skerbetz Kelly Vanassa Felicia Wilson |
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7.J. 2026-2027 Occupational/Physical Therapist
Description:
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7.K. Berks County Intermediate Unit
Description:
Pennsylvania Department of Education (the "PDE") has awarded the BCIU a contract to provide, in conjunction with other intermediate units, certain services in support of PDE’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) to include, and not limited to activities associated with the Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT) and Firefly. Ronald Gallagher, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction at IU1, has been selected to serve as a State Lead on the statewide leadership team.
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7.L. Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Description:
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation Grant Reference #20260043 in the amount of $50,000 awarded to IU1 to encourage, facilitate, and recognize innovative instructional programs in schools across southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. |
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7.M. Conference/Convention Requests
Description:
Rikki Swaney, Data Assistant I A/CAPA Fall Conference 2026 Hershey Hotel - Hershey, PA November 4, 2026 - November 6, 2026 (Cost of $1,362 will be funded through SE Funds) Sara Hoffman, Supervisor of Special Education BVI,DB,DHH Supervisor Retreat 2026 PaTTAN Central Office - Harrisburg, PA November 11, 2026 - November 13, 2026 (Cost of $900 will be funded through SE 2390) PaTTAN-West Paula Schmitt, PaTTAN West Director PA Case/PaCEC Conference York College, PA July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 (Cost of $845 will be funded through PaTTAN) Amanda Winnor, Assistant PaTTAN West Director PA Case/PaCEC Conference York College, PA July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 (Cost of $895 will be funded through PaTTAN) Hillary Mangis, PaTTAN Educational Consultant PA Case/PaCEC Conference York College, PA July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 (Cost of $610 will be funded through PaTTAN) Christine Moon, PaTTAN Educational Consultant PA Case/PaCEC Conference York College, PA July 9, 2026 - July 11, 2026 (Cost of $544 will be funded through PaTTAN) |
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7.N. Field Placement Practicum Student: ESL Classroom
Description:
The students will be placed in an ESL classroom during the 2026-2027 school year (August 25, 2026 - December 7, 2026). Each student is required to complete 20 hours of field experience as part of their internship. Students:
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7.O. The Grable Foundation
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7.P. Intermediate Unit 1 Annual Convention
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7.Q. Internship - School Psychology
Description:
School Psychology Intern Placement of a student from PennWest-California University to complete their internship in an Intermediate Unit 1 classroom. All required documentation, including clearances, must be received prior to placement in programs. Name: Chloe Wright Location: Laurel Highlands School District (Michelle Moore) Date: August 17, 2026 (Start Date) Hours: 1200 hours |
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7.R. Internship - Social Worker
Description:
School Psychology Intern Placement of a student from PennWest-California University to complete their internship in an Intermediate Unit 1 classroom. All required documentation, including clearances, must be received prior to the placement in programs. Name: Vanessa David Location: Laurel Highlands School District (Seth Vargo) Date: August 17, 2026 (Start Date) Hours: 450 hours Name: Andrew Gmiter Location: Canon McMillan School District (Jane Zupancic) Date: August 24, 2026 (Start Date) Hours: 300 hours |
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7.S. IU1 Social Media Accounts
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7.T. Literacy Council of Southwestern PA Summer Family Literacy Events
Description:
The IU1 and the Literacy Council of Southwestern PA (LCSWPA) will collaborate and hold summer family literacy events at three locations for English Learners and their families. The literacy events will highlight the importance of family literacy and parent/family engagement. The events will include literacy related activities, including a story session, which will be facilitated by the LCSWPA. The events will be supported by Title III. |
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7.U. PA Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program Grant
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7.V. Pearson-eDynamicLearning
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7.W. Southeastern Greene Special Education Admin Service Agreement
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7.X. Permission to Hire Appropriate Staff, Accept Resignations/Retirements, Approve Leases, Service Agreements, Transportation Contracts; and Pay Bills and Payroll.
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7.Y. Services Agreements
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7.Z. Collective Bargaining Agreement
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7.AA. Approval of IU1 Foundation Board Members
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8. ACTION ITEMS - PaTTAN West
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8.A. Career Assessment Access Initiative
Description:
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), through the Pathways to Partnership (P2P) grant, will subgrant funds to Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) to support the procurement, administration, and oversight of developmentally appropriate career assessment tools for students with disabilities ages 10-13 IU1 shall implement and manage a structured, application-based process that provides opportunities for LEAs throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to request access to career assessment tools for students ages 10-13 purchased and owned by IU1. IU1 shall oversee procurement, access, administration guidance, and reporting in alignment with P2P goals and Commonwealth requirements. The assessments should be new to each LEA or expand existing efforts to provide access to students ages 10-13.
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8.B. Tri County Society for Children and Adults DBA The Keystone Partnership "Keystone"
Description:
Tri County Society for Children and Adults DBS The Keystone Partnership (aka Mikayla's Voice) has agreed to provide support with implementing state-wide evidence-based disability awareness and inclusive education programming that promotes meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities through school assemblies, engagement activities, presenter training and program evaluation.
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9. FINANCES
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9.A. Treasurer's Report
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9.C. Bills Due & Payable
Description:
Total Bills Paid: $155,009.54
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9.D. Approval of Finances
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10. CLOSING ITEMS
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10.A. Announcements:
Description:
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Intermediate Unit 1 Board of Directors is Thursday, September 24, 2026. The IU1 Campus Schools will host Open Houses on the following dates:
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10.B. Adjournment
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