Keystone Oaks board previews routine approvals: AIU/IDEA agreements, WVU student-teaching affiliation, finance and personnel items

Board members and administrators at the Keystone Oaks School District meeting reviewed a set of routine operational items scheduled for board action next week, including special-education agreements, personnel changes, finance items and procurement steps.

Administration said it will recommend board approval next week of an AIU (Allegheny Intermediate Unit) notice of adoption so the district will follow AIU policies for funds that pass through the unit, and a use-of-funds agreement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that obligates the district to follow federal regulations for those funds.

Staff noted three students currently placed at Wesley K–8 (Wesley Family School) are considered to be in their least-restrictive environment and will remain placed there until their IEP teams reconvene and make further determinations.

The board was also told of an affiliation agreement with West Virginia University that would allow a Keystone Oaks graduate now at WVU to complete observations in the fall and student teaching in the spring. The agreement term shown in the agenda documents covers five years (March 2024–March 2029), though the student's actual field placement is for the upcoming academic terms.

Personnel items for next-week approval include a custodian resignation (Michael Mome), appointments for a new custodian and food-service staff, activity sponsors, and a family-and-medical leave for an employee from Aug. 19 to Oct. 4.

Finance preview: the finance lead (identified in the meeting as Mr Hill) said the district ended the reporting period "a little north" of the figure read at the meeting (transcript text is ambiguous on the unit) and noted a larger-than-usual monthly payment related to rooftop units at the high and middle schools. The 2024–25 AIU program-of-service budget will be presented for approval, and the board will be asked to exonerate tax collectors for the district's three municipalities (Castle Shannon, Dormont and Green Tree) once final Castle Shannon numbers are available; if Castle Shannon's report is not ready the district will remove that resolution from the vote.

Board members also discussed facilities procurement: staff received nine responses to an architectural RFP, narrowed candidates, and will bring a recommendation to the board on April 4 so the architect can begin work in May. Athletics staff recommended advertising bids for winter/spring sports for 2024–25; postseason participation in basketball, robotics and wrestling was noted.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.