Monessen School Board approves IU contribution
MONESSEN – Monessen School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the district’s contribution of $3,628 to the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit general operating budget for 2016-2017. The district’s share of this budget for the 2015-2016 year is $4,814, showing a reduction of $1,186 in the district’s contribution for the upcoming school year. The toal WIU budget will increase from $4, 844,230 this year to $5,530,075 for next year due to changes in bookkeeping.
The board also voted to elect Treasurer Sharon Mauck to serve on the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit board of directors, beginning April 6, 2016.
Eric Manko, middle school/high school principal, said the after-school tutoring/homework help program that was restarted in February for middle school and high school students has brought in roughly eight to 12 students per day. He said the program is assist all types of students.
The board also approved the addition of a life skills classroom, which will help learning support and special education students learn skills that will help them be independent and live on their own. Manko said this is a full-inclusion program for sixth-12th grade students with class sizes ranging from four to eight students. This program will help teach things like financial skills and can also provide assistance with job shadowing.
He said this program will be used to keep students within the district, rather than having them travel to an outside program.
“It makes them feel more a part of the school community,” Manko said. This position will require another staff member to either be moved into the position or hired outside of the district.
Bethanne Natali, elementary school principal, said the emotional support classroom has been a success. Natali said nine children are confirmed for the pre-kindergarten program that begins today. She also said student have been preparing for the PSSA testing, which will begin April 11.
Roberta Bergstedt, board vice president, proposed bringing back a student liason to open up communications between the board and the students since the youth council has been re-established at the high school. Director Maria C. Scuteri, who serves as a liason to the students, said this would give students representation and help get them more involved. This motion will be considered at the next board meeting.