Feb 28, 2017 3 min read

Belle Vernon School Board on Monday recognized the accomplishments of the district’s special education program.

The board said the district has made “marked improvement” in meeting the state and federal mandates to address the needs of special education students. Dr. John Wilkinson, district superintendent, recognized Dayna Sikora, school psychologist, and her team of life skills educators for their efforts and accomplishments within the special education program.

“We are very fortunate to have such a great group,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson said other school districts who want to model their special education programs after Belle Vernon’s frequently are in touch with district officials. Wilkinson said this is attributed to the staff and the leadership within the program.

Wilkinson said educators have been working to refine their special education department over the last five years, making an effort to bring students back into the district from outside programs.

“It’s the right thing to do,” Wilkinson said, adding officials want to accommodate all students’ needs within the district. In the 2011-12 school year, there were 41 students in outside placements. Wilkinson said in the 2016-17 school year, just 13 students are in outside placements.

Wilkinson said special education costs have been reduced by close to $600,000 over the last five years by bringing students back into the district and offering them better programs, rather than spending roughly $35,000 per student for outside placements.

Joe Grata, board president, praised the special education department for its achievements.

“Although cost savings are very important, nothing could be more important than or as important as what these people have achieved,” Grata said.

Sikora said the teachers in the special education program serve as great collaborators and mentors for her. She spoke about each member of the department and the positive impact they have had on the program. “I want to thank everybody because without you guys, it doesn’t run. Without our kiddos who need you, it doesn’t run either,” Sikora said.

Wilkinson spoke about cost savings being sent through the federal ACCESS program. He said program allows the district to be reimbursed by the federal government for certain expenses, such as transportation, for students who are on medical assistance. “If they go see the nurse, if they have a personal aide, you name it, there is certain criteria we can use,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson said the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit was in charge of the funds for the first year in the 2012-13 school year. Wilkinson said after saving just $3,700 the first year, the district decided to assume responsibility of ACCESS billing in-house, and has been seeing more savings.

Wilkinson said in the 2013-14 school year, the district gained $108,000, and in the 2014-15 school year, it gained $234,000. Wilkinson said in the 2015-16 school year, $224,000 in federal funds was reimbursed, for a total of $569,700.