[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6059723,"mediaKeyId","3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d","parentId",3293855,"title","Mount Lebanon reviews student services: gifted, 504, ESL, counseling and school-based mental health plans","audioSeconds",715,"startMs",2271000,"endMs",2986000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d&start=2271&end=2986","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d/thumbnail_2271000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059723/Pennsylvania/Mount-Lebanon-reviews-student-services-gifted-504-ESL-counseling-and-school-based-mental-health-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059723-083bd696c567ceb43d7ce186dcab65a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958935&Signature=KyWr7MlUBXAwdc2xlx3TBIhppeZegoxPvY33iHh51D9LHCdxQ5NW5wJuWPFWmHNW3ZxwW0xF3xJpNp60n8eNxH8r1v59ydbj8Pg58GazLvFGjLbwkOkG2l0jK1e5sXahfh~YwfVPrIGISOMgD8MGn9LkDY1VkEYcNUMi52SYU8It8VdIW9UQ4CzOOKdT9cGmGkDo6FyfXU4fJ6RoGRiDet5Jw-zkY~umo4KmaVzLgr9QlEC~mxLPE-78egI-JQViDyZHFKkncIYr2PqsxzFlUTRT7-WbwWf3L29rnvgawH~KLtxqdyHUnHBcOCWHInvuB3-lH-9SDXtUtk4r7rHJAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mt. Lebanon School District","date","2025-05-13T16:09:14Z","article","Mount Lebanon School District staff presented a student-services program review covering gifted education, Section 504 accommodations, English-language learner services, school counseling and school-based mental-health services.

The presentation said the share of students identified for gifted services rose from 4.6% in 2014 to 5.5% in 2025, an increase of 58 students over ten years. Section 504 plans now cover 8.1% of students, an increase that the administration quantified as 333 more students than a decade earlier. English-language learner services were listed at 5.6% of the student body, roughly 12 more students than ten years ago.

The district reported program highlights: universal screening for gifted at third grade, a matrix of gifted services across grade bands, both enrichment and acceleration options, and twice-exceptional training for staff and families. For 504 implementation, staff said evaluations and accommodations are provided in a timely fashion across K–12. For ELL services the district contracts with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, uses Title 3 funding for professional development and summer learning scholarships, and monitors entry and exit via state requirements.

On counseling, the presentation compared building-level counselor staffing to ASCA benchmarks and said the district is close to the ASCA-recommended 250:1 ratio in most buildings; the presenter noted ASCA’s national average of 415 students per counselor for 2021–22 and emphasized building-level goals across personal, social, career and academic domains.

The district described expansion of school-based mental-health services in partnership with the Bradley Center: 47 current students actively receiving services, 11 discharged, and 13 referrals in process. The presentation said all 10 schools are licensed as satellite locations and that the Bradley Center provides roughly 1.5 full-time-equivalent licensed counselors that travel between buildings; the contractor is recruiting additional staff to match student needs.

Related services (occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language support and social work) are provided through contracts with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Bradley Center, and the district reported counts of students receiving services across those categories. Transportation was noted to be in year one of a three-year contract with First Student; the district highlighted a parent-facing vehicle-tracking app as a contract benefit.

Next steps the district proposed include improving and translating communications for families, creating FAQs and monthly newsletters, expanding professional development (IEP writing, Section 504 implementation, de-escalation training), continuing to develop Wilson reading-system certification, reviewing and implementing SEL curriculum K–12, expanding school-based mental health contingent on staffing, and evaluating acceleration and in-school enrichment options for gifted students. The administration said these items will be folded into the district’s strategic plan and brought forward across multiple years; no formal board actions were taken on program changes at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-05-13 MTLSD School Board Discussion Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The district reviewed a student-services program report that showed increases in gifted, Section 504 and ESL services over the past decade, described counseling-staffing ratios and expansion of school-based mental health services, and proposed communication, training and program improvements to be included in the strategic plan.","taxTitle","Mt Lebanon SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38302,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6059728,"Mount Lebanon presents special education program review; district above state average in least-restrictive placements",1048,711000,1759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d&start=711&end=1759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d/thumbnail_711000.jpg","/articles/6059728/Pennsylvania/Mount-Lebanon-presents-special-education-program-review-district-above-state-average-in-least-restrictive-placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059728-811ce89961f4c3e394d58a7b9b41d9f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958935&Signature=cvtfg-M8HhhOIAjxW61fwIWwc1Rtnsg8O-iLbEH~3pmNItBs2PvZnHDkkHrHL6TAnYDc9tHaNfOuzAYzQcMm3yrq02IC~NwthlgI~5M6db2mmRYRL38ZBfizCW-TSPMtS2ZSwD6WkIkwZ3FqBznUV-qrvZhVTtfptGjvqxOK6zmyrjEp-b9lgDnRGtzN5jYhou6jB-UQzsuH5E3BdKQPPjtNCfXecdkpHNwxWm5MaxH~hzEljm0qqJLyW30jU3Yx8R8j84jlLvlarxW3Tyo1DBLoVwTMFGaFWzR1ejTxDRGT9~dNw70LpUcLI19ql14CHxQE3ohg9r4rfryuL3R14Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a multi-part special education program review that the administration said will feed into the district’s upcoming strategic plan and a cyclical state monitoring process.

\"We are trying to educate students with disabilities to the maximum extent possible with their nondisabled peers,\" Dr. Schuman said, describing the district’s least-restrictive-environment goals and noting that 71.4% of students with individualized education programs were educated in regular classrooms for at least 80% of the school day. That figure, the presentation said, was 1.4 percentage points higher than the district’s last review and 9.8 points above the state average of 61.6% for the same indicator.

The review included a school-by-school program profile listing specialized classrooms and services (itinerant, supplemental, full-time supports) and an inventory of contracted providers used for out-of-district placements. The district identified one target area required by the state: students in “other settings” (out-of-district or private placements). The administration proposed actions including analyzing data for students in other settings, researching district-based transition programming for ages 18–22, and planning additional elementary specialized classrooms if enrollment and need warrant it.

The presentation said participation rates in state assessments for students with IEPs fell below the state target of 95% in several grades, with nonparticipation attributed primarily to parental opt-outs and some excused absences. The district proposed targeted steps to address assessment participation and academic proficiency gaps (notably math in grades 4 and 8), including educator and parent education at IEP meetings about test accommodations, department-level briefings, implementation of supplemental math curricula backed by evidence, and inclusion of special-education staff in the district’s curriculum review cycle.

Staff proposed a range of professional-development items tied to state requirements and local needs: autism-related training (including participation in Pattan’s autism initiative and applied behavior analysis training), positive behavior-support and crisis-prevention training for identified personnel, confidentiality and FERPA refreshers, paraprofessional onboarding refinement, Wilson reading-system certification, assistive-communication device training and IEP-writing refreshers. The review said the state special-education report — a compliance-oriented document filed every three years — is now posted for public review and comment; the presentation noted the state report does not include the fuller stakeholder feedback captured in the district’s program review and forthcoming strategic plan.

Board members asked about timing for adding specialized classrooms and staff; presenters said placement and program additions will be driven by student needs and enrollment, with capacity discussions to inform budget planning for 2025-26 and the multi-year strategic plan.

The administration described next steps as program and communication work items to be phased into the district’s strategic plan over multiple years; no formal policy or contract action on special-education programming was taken at the meeting.","District staff reviewed a special education program review showing 71.4% of students with IEPs served in general education 80%+ of the day, highlighted gaps in out-of-district placements and participation in state assessments, and proposed multi-year training, communication and program changes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6059733,"Mount Lebanon presents balanced 2025-26 budget with 4.7% Act 1 millage increase; voting set for May 21",521,53000,574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d&start=53&end=574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3293855-5e0f211b439cbc66c7334266c396712d/thumbnail_53000.jpg","/articles/6059733/Pennsylvania/Mount-Lebanon-presents-balanced-2025-26-budget-with-47-Act-1-millage-increase-voting-set-for-May-21","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059733-ad4abb61aada0fd15ac3da3649ade458/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958935&Signature=jPf89gi1i~7MDNghQBbyrp7h~mazK76SYB-EKCSa9-1bSLSV~cycD8lukAlzNIjoxyl6c9P32nVe3VyTYcxBgU9OY-azsJNitom0ZQ7UL5xTfSFemKWfRtOkh-UrR-NijN1f32-u2h~Ar7E2J5AziMjsLUkzxbb32n9XLoS8~bElpGudO9kvyJ-~xSHtOrLAKuPU2fmtxEfJLPk31GhomIW7arnjaEL9ekViXmenumucgXn1fEn9hmC6~6ftW2d5KSU06UTHpdEnxyFjQZ1x5N-b3PcGJ~v2FwnohNHBrgnb2FmoNxw3o~a9W-rsb6U6pvxVdiI4R~W37r5WovIBVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Lebanon School District leaders presented a balanced final budget for fiscal 2025-26 that includes a proposed real estate tax increase tied to the Act 1 index and special education exceptions and leaves the district’s fund balance unchanged.

The district’s proposed 2025-26 revenues total $125,119,257. “This budget is balanced and does not use fund balance or furloughs to balance it,” Dr. Friese said during the presentation, summarizing the administration’s recommendation.

The administration told the board the millage increase has two parts: an Act 1 index increase of 4.7% (an added 0.0013771 mills with an estimated $3.4 million revenue impact) and approved special-education exceptions adding 0.002724 mills for about $748,000. Together, the presentation said, those changes would move the districtwide millage from 0.0293005 to 0.03095 — an increase of 0.0016495 mills and projected district revenue of $4,159,908. The administration showed sample homeowner impacts, including an estimated $24.79 monthly increase for a $200,000 house and $68.73 monthly for a $500,000 house.

On the expenditure side, presenters said there were no substantive changes to planned spending since the April budget forum and that final expenditures total $125,119,057. The administration credited several savings and adjustments, including unfilled positions (4.8 full-time equivalents), reduced stipends and overtime, lower travel costs, and negotiated lower vendor quotes. Cost drivers called out in the presentation included a 3.5% salary increase over 2024-25, a 5.7% increase in health insurance premiums, a 3% rise in vision and dental costs, and a certified PSERS employer contribution rate of 34%.

The presentation noted program investments: curriculum purchases for K–6 ELA, K–6 science and middle-school math totaling roughly $665,000–$677,000 and built-in tuition increases for charter and specialized placements (3% charter tuition; roughly a 10% increase to Parkway tied to enrollment). The administration also budgeted about $119,000 for capital projects in buildings and grounds.

Risks identified included potential federal interest-rate actions, continuing PSERS rate increases through FY2034, health-insurance premium growth, continuing transportation and tuition cost increases, commercial property tax appeals, and variability in the common level ratio that affects real-estate tax collections and refunds. The presentation listed opportunities in potentially higher state basic-education or special-education funding and additional grant awards.

Board members thanked district staff for producing a balanced budget under difficult conditions and reminded the public that the formal votes on the budget-related resolutions — including the final budget, the homestead/farmstead reduction and the millage resolutions — will occur at the May 21 voting meeting to meet the state’s 30-day notice window.

The administration also presented a proposed Homestead and Farmstead resolution reducing the homestead credit to $326.39 per homestead and an Act 511 resolution that would maintain local earned-income, real-estate transfer and local-services tax rates (0.5% earned income tax; 0.5% real-estate transfer; $5 local services tax). The board’s agenda materials presented the recommended final budget in the state-required format and listed the proposed actions for board approval at the scheduled May 21 vote.

Financial-status slides shown to the board projected no use of fund balance in 2025-26 and a path to modest increases in fund balance over the following three years if the presentation’s revenue and expenditure assumptions hold — including 1.5% earned-income tax growth and salary and benefit inflation assumptions.

Pending board action at the May 21 voting meeting are the final budget (total $125,119,257), the real-estate millage increase to 0.03095 mills, the Homestead/Farmstead resolution, and associated Act 511 local tax resolutions.","District finance staff presented a $125.12 million 2025-26 final budget that relies on an Act 1 index millage increase plus approved special education exceptions and proposes a $326.39 homestead reduction; the board scheduled formal adoption votes for May 21.","actionData","errors"]

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Mount Lebanon reviews student services: gifted, 504, ESL, counseling and school-based mental health plans

Mount Lebanon presents special education program review; district above state average in least-restrictive placements

Mount Lebanon presents balanced 2025-26 budget with 4.7% Act 1 millage increase; voting set for May 21