September 14, 2026 7:00 p.m. - IU Monthly Meeting

Description: 

The regular monthly meeting of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 Board of Directors, held at the Conference Room of the Schuylkill Technology Center — South Campus, Mar Lin, Pennsylvania, will be called to order by President Scott Jacoby.

Description: 

The Committee of the Whole will meet before the board meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Description:  Approve the Minutes of the August 3, 2026, Board Meeting.

Description: 

• Board Update regarding the Gymnasium Renovation

Description:  It is recommended that the Board approve the FINANCE items of the consent agenda:

Description:  Approve the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Financial Reports for July 2026 as presented.
 

Description:  Approve payments to the following districts, as listed, for instructional services, transportation, and supplies utilized during the month of July for the 2026-2027 after-school program. All expenses are covered through the respective grant funds.

Description:  Approve the following revised budget for the 2026–2027 school year.

Budget	Amount
Early Intervention	$5,866,275.00

Description:  Approve the transfer of $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Expenditures Fund.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board approve the following PERSONNEL items of the consent agenda:

Description:  Approve the retirement of the following employees, effective at the end of the day listed.

• Gail Stehr, full-time Staff Accountant in the Business Office, on February 28, 2027.

Description:  Accept the resignation of the following employees, effective at the end of the day as listed.
 

• Michael Breznik, part-time School Police Officer at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective August 1, 2026, for other employment.
• Kristi Pretzer, part-time Health Room Assistant at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective August 6, 2026, for other employment.

• Diego Zevallos-Ponce, part-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective August 10, 2026, for other employment.
• Tara Culbert, part-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective August 13, 2026, for other employment.
• Farrah Heim, part-time Paraprofessional in the Early Intervention Department, Tamaqua Classroom, effective October 2, 2026, for other employment.

• Charles Mock, full-time Life Skills Teacher at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective August 7, 2026, for other employment.
• Elizabeth Ciavarella, full-time Training and Consultation (TaC) Staff in the Special Education Department, effective date to be determined, for a position in the Early Intervention Department.
• Jacqueline Wolff, full-time Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department, effective September 8, 2026, for other employment. 

Description: 

Approve the employment of the following individuals, pending receipt of all required documentation. 

ACT 93/Support Staff Compensation Plan

• Janele Blashock, Barnesville, as a full-time Business Office Secretary in the Business Department, with an annual salary of $40,000/yr, effective August 17, 2026. This is an open position.
• Jamie Bowers, Minersville, as a part-time Health Room Assistant at the Maple Avenue Campus, at the hourly rate of $35.00/hr, effective August 18, 2026, replacing Kristi Pretzer.
• Dominique Bracey, Girardville, as a full-time Nonpublic Guidance Counselor in the Curriculum Department, with an annual salary of $42,000/yr, effective August 17, 2026, replacing Elizabeth Brensinger. This position is located at Marian Catholic. 
• Elizabeth Ciavarella, Pottsville, as a full-time Behavior & Transition Coordinator in the Early Intervention Department, with an annual salary of $81,510, effective date to be determined, replacing Chris Rhoades.
• Joseph Murton Jr, Pottsville, as a part-time School Police Officer at the Maple Avenue Campus, at the hourly rate of $32.00/hr, effective September 15, 2026, replacing Michael Breznik.

Intermediate Unit Educational Professionals Association

• Stephanie Getter, Middleport, as a full-time Mental Health Therapist at the Maple Avenue Campus, with an annual salary of $31,100/yr, effective August 17, 2026, replacing Chelsea Andujar.
• Megan Hughes, Schuylkill Haven, as a full-time Training and Consultation (TaC) Educational Consultant in the Special Education Department, with an annual salary of $70,639/yr, effective date to be determined, replacing Elizabeth Ciavarella.
• Spencer Martz, State College, as a full-time Mathematics Teacher at the Maple Avenue Campus, with an annual salary of $48,439/yr, effective August 12, 2026, replacing Mick Jacavage.

Educational Support Professionals Association

• Alexis Bradbury, Pine Grove, as a part-time Paraprofessional in the Early Intervention Department, at the hourly rate of $14.50/hr, effective September 2, 2026, replacing Lydia McCabe. This position is located at Schuylkill Technology Center — North Campus. 
• Dylan Ward, Pine Grove, as a part-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, at the hourly rate of $14.50/hr, effective August 18, 2026. This is an open position.
• Jacqueline Wolff, Pottsville, as a full-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, at the hourly rate of $15.50/hr, effective September 8, 2026. This is an open position.
• Kimberly Woodford, Pottsville, as a full-time Administrative Assistant, Special Education Information Systems, in the Special Education Department, at the hourly rate of $15.50/hr, effective August 31, 2026, replacing Joey Alshefski.
• Courtney Costello, Schuylkill Haven, as a full-time Administrative Assistant in the Special Education Department, at the hourly rate of $15.50/hr, effective August 28, 2026, replacing Jacqueline Wolff.

Description:  Approve the employment of Victoria Orischak, Pottsville, as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher - Emotional Support, start date August 28, 2026, contingent upon approval of a Pennsylvania Department of Education Emergency Permit and completion of all required employment clearances. Due to the extended nature of this assignment, compensation shall be at the Entry (1st Year) Teacher - Master’s Level of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Education Association salary schedule, at a salary of $50,439, with benefits in accordance with the applicable agreement.

Description:  Approve the transfer of the following employees, effective at the end of the day, as listed.

Educational Support Professionals Association

• Mamie Smith, from part-time Paraprofessional to full-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective August 18, 2026.
• Christine Zelwalk, from part-time Paraprofessional to full-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective September 14, 2026.
• Amanda Tokarczyk, from part-time Paraprofessional to full-time Paraprofessional at the Maple Avenue Campus, effective September 8, 2026.

Description:  Grant authority to the Executive Director to fill vacancies and transfer and employ the essential personnel in all programs operated by the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit Board, with ratification at the October, November, and December Board Meetings.

Description:  Grant authorization for the Executive Director to review and revise job descriptions as needed to reflect organizational needs, responsibilities, reporting structures, and operational requirements.

Description:  Approve the following job descriptions:

• Staff Accountant
• Director of Internal Operations

Description:  Approve the title change for Rob Houseknecht from Assistant Business Manager to Director of Internal Operations, with an annual salary of $85,000, effective September 15, 2026. 

Description:  Approve an unpaid leave of absence for the following employee(s). The employee(s) will reimburse the cost of health insurance for their absence, when applicable.

• Employee #2881 on August 21, 2026

Description:  Approve a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act for the following employee(s). Employee(s) will use their accumulated leave during their absence.

Employee# 662, a continuous leave beginning approximately on August 11, 2026, through November 13, 2026. The employee is to use any available PTO for FMLA days.

Employee# 2391, a continuous leave beginning approximately June 5, 2026, through August 1, 2026. The employee is to use any available PTO for FMLA days.
 

Description:  Grant Kayla Drasdis and Amanda Leshko, professional employees with tenure. Both have been rated satisfactory at the conclusion of three years of service at the end of the 2025–2026 school year and will receive a Professional Employee Contract under the School Code.

Description: 

Approve a certification/track change for the following employee.

• Tonya Hoppel
  • Track: Master’s to Master’s + 30
  • Compensation: 2026-2027 Salary + $2,000
  • Effective: 2026-2027 School Year

Description:  Approve the following teachers as  mentors and receive payment per the criteria in the Professional Personnel Contract for the 2026-2027/2027-2028 school years, as listed:

Mentee	Mentor
Spencer Martz	Matt Slonaker
Victoria Orischak	Mike Stock

Description: 

• Approve Pat Denmon to provide transition support to Amber Clews for a period of one (1) calendar year from her start date, in her position as a Behavior Interventionist, with compensation as per the criteria of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The total amount of the stipend for this position is $500.00.
• Approve Marcella Jones to provide transition support to Stephanie Getter for a period of one (1) calendar year from her start date, in her position as a Mental Health Therapist, with compensation as per the criteria of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The total amount of the stipend for this position is $500.00.

Description:  Accept the applications received and place them on file for all programs as presented. (Supplemental Attachment).

Description:  It is recommended that the Board contract with or ratify and execute the CONTRACTS/AGREEMENTS of the consent agenda:

Description:  Approve the agreements listed below between the following school districts and the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit for providing Title I services to nonpublic students in the 2026-2027 school year:
 

School District	Amount
Blue Mountain	$1,240.54
Mahanoy Area	$10,082.88
Saint Clair Area	$535.00
Panther Valley	$18,061.26
Pottsville Area	$13,001.80
Shenandoah Valley	$8,591.89
Tamaqua Area	$13,420.72

Description:  Approve the agreement between the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit and Catapult Learning, LLC of Newark, NJ, in the amount of $79,558.72 plus an 11% administrative fee for providing Title I services to the Schuylkill County non-public and private schools in the 2026-2027 school year.

Description:  Approve the continuation of the lease agreement with Schuylkill Haven Area School District for Early Intervention classroom space in the Schuylkill Haven Elementary School, effective July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, at a rate of $850.00 per month.

Description:  Approve the agreement with Medley Learning.  All expenses will be covered with Title III funds.

Description:  Approve the Title IIA agreements with the following districts in the amounts listed for providing Title IIA services to the Schuylkill County nonpublic schools during the 2026-2027 school year.
 

School District	Amount
Minersville Area	$3,175.00
Tamaqua Area	$17,690.00

Description:  Approve a training contract with JKM Training, Inc. Safe Crisis Management for one 1-day Virtual Training and one day in-person on November 23, 2026, to provide Safe Crisis Management Instructor Certification Training at a cost of $2,195.00 plus a $155/person online recertification course and instructor expenses. The cost of the training will be billed to participating districts. (Attachment)

Description:  Enter into an agreement with St. Joseph's Learning Center for the provision of Occupational Therapy Services for the 2026-2027 School Year. (attachment)

Description:  Approve the driver rates and revisions as presented.

Description:  Approve the agreement with David M. Steranko to provide school bus driver training on an as needed basis.

Description:  It is recommended that the Board approve the following POLICY/PROCEDURE/PROTOCOL items of the consent agenda:

Description:  Approve the updated Language Instruction Education Program Handbook for the 2026-2027 school year.

Description:  Approve the first reading of Policy 008 - Organizational Chart.

Description:  Approve the following FACILITY USE  requests as presented.

Description:  Use of the Soccer Field, approved course, and restrooms in the Maple Avenue Campus lobby by Gillingham Charter School - Cross Country for Meets on October 7, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and for Cross Country Practice on September 17, 21, 24, 28, and October 1 & 7, 2026 from 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Description:  Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, school facilities where children attend school may test drinking water annually for lead. Results above 0.005 mg/L require an immediate exposure-prevention plan and alternative drinking water. A school entity that does not test must discuss lead issues at a public meeting. Results above 0.005 mg/L must be reported to PDE for public posting.

Description:  Dr. Anthony Serafini, Executive Director, and Annie Milewski, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, will attend the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) Annual Conference on December 2-4, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. The conference provides professional learning and networking focused on current issues, innovative practices, leadership strategies, and emerging opportunities impacting educational service agencies and the school districts they serve. Travel and conference-related expenses will be paid from their respective IU29 budgets.

Description:  Monday, October 5, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Schuylkill Technology Center — South Campus, Conference Room