Montgomery County IU creates ad hoc committee after reporting of international trips

A Cheltenham School District board representative told the board on April 14 that the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) has formed an ad hoc committee to review policies and procedures after reporting on international trips by IU leadership.

Miss Wall summarized coverage of nearly $40,000 in international travel by MCIU staff since 2023 and told the board that one 14‑day trip was described in the reporting as costing about $18,000. In response the IU board created a seven‑member ad hoc committee to examine approval processes, aligned educational outcomes, travel reimbursement practices, and return on investment.

Miss Wall said the committee will be guided by both an education‑focused attorney and an independent investigator who is a licensed attorney with experience in school districts. The committee will review facts and circumstances surrounding the international trips and make recommendations to the full IU board.

Miss Wall also highlighted MCIU programs that provide student supports, including a workforce program (for ages 14–24) that can provide up to $5,000 for skills training for eligible participants, and announced a May 19 MCIU mental health resource fair.

The board representative said she had been contacted by a community member about the travel reporting and described the review as “a learning experience for everyone involved.”