Schuylkill IU board accepts grant; other actions taken

The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 School Board took action Monday evening at its monthly meeting to accept on behalf of IU units in Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Colonial Intermediate and its own unit, a grant for 2009-10 in amount of $217,762 for professional development for the non-public/private schools in those Intermediate units.

As directed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, an amount of $100,000 is disbursed to Berks County IU for support of pre-kindergarten, partnership and professional develpment. The Schuylkill Unit is the administrator for this federal grant.

In conjunction with the state's Freed Appropriate Public Educatio (FAPE) plan, the Schuylkill board approved the Local Education Agency (LEA) policy and procedure in order to continue to be eligible for funding to insure that all children with disabilities three to 21 years of age residing in Schuylkill County have the right to a free appropriate public education, including children with dsabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school.

The board accepted the Act 183 Educational Technical Grant of $155,278 from Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for the period July 1, 2009, to Dec. 30. This grant titled, "Using Learning to Promote SAS-Aligned School 2.0 in Special Needs Classrooms" facilities the process of rebidding the Regional Wide Area Network (RWAN) and works to remove barriers to learning and technology integration within special and alternative education classrooms by leveraging broadband technologies.

Other business

In personnel matters Charles J. Mannello, Mount Carmel, was reappointed for three years as business manager, ending June 30, 2013; Katherine Figueroa, Coaldale, and John Kuehl, Williamstown, were appointed as substitute teachers in the Special Education, Pre-School and Alternative Education Program for the current school year; Rosemarie Walsh, Pottsville, Crystal Davidson Hernandez, New Boston, Kathy Hand, Williamstown, and Carrie Brown, Schuylkill Haven, appointed as substitute teacher aides.

Also, David J. Wolfe, New Ringgold, was hired as the mine safety instructor effective January 11 at an annual salary of $44,000. He replaces William Kinzey who resigned. A contract was approved with William Parker, III for mine safety first aid training at a cost of $200 for five hours.

The board accepted the proposal from Cocciardi and Asosciates Inc. to perform planning consortium emergency management consultant services for $13,500 and a coalition consultant services for $6,500, the monies are funded by the Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) grant. The company plans to use Art Kaplan, the former county emergency management coordinator, as a sub-contractor for this project. Kaplan has formed his own consulting firm after leaving the county.

The annual IU convention is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30, to be held at the Maple Avenue Campus, Norwegian Township, and will begin at 7 p.m. It is attended by school directors and superintendents from the 12 school districts which make up IU29.

The board renewed the breakfast program at the Schuylkill Technology Center with prices set as follows: regular student breakfast, $1; reduced student breakfast, 30 cents, and adult breakfast, $2. The breakfast program will begin Feb. 1 at the South Campus and be offered at both campuses in the 2010 and 2011 school year.

Spring courses

Dr. William Davidson, president of the board, announced the approval of spring courses adding that the mission of the Schuylkill Technology Center is to enable the students to acquire the attitutes, knowledge, skills and values necessary to becoming a lifelong learner and a productive citizen of a global economy by developing and educational pathway for excellence in a partnership with education, business industry, government, family and the community.

Barbara Naradko, director of Post Secondary Education, announced courses available are as follows:

Introduction to computers for seniors, $90 tuition; microsoft word, basic, $135; microsoft excel, basic, $135; computer basics, $135; how to organize your computer, $45; drafting and design, auto, $360; advanced design I and II, $450; clinical dental assisting, $540; dental assisting II, $540; dental radiograhy, $225; philbotomy training for medical personal, $90; medical office and health career techician, $275 each level; electromechanical technician, $675 each step; auto mechanics for beginner, $150; computer numerical control with mastercam introduction, $250; construction safety program, $175; basic plumbing and heating, $180 and advanced, $85; welding, $350; serve safe certificate as developed by the education program of the restaurant association, $175; serve safe recertfication, $65; vehicle state inspection certification, passenger cars, $170; motorcycles, $40; heavy trucks, $40 and enhanced category, $100 or $40 for test only.

Practical nursing program, $11,587.50 tuition; nurse aide, $1,250.

Commercial driver training, $5,995; CDL Class B, $1,695; heavy equipment operator, $8,455; and combination of CDL and heavy equipment training, $13,969.

Adult education registration can be obtained from the Schuylkill Technology Center, Frackville by droping in person at the campus Monday through Friday or calling 570-874-1034.