Coatesville committee approves affiliation agreements, special-education materials and several student-support contracts

The Coatesville Area School District education committee on Oct. 14 voted to recommend multiple affiliation agreements and several service contracts — including new curriculum subscriptions for students with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairments — and to forward confidential student placements and other personnel or contract items to the full board for approval.

The committee moved affiliation agreements with Millersville, the University of Phoenix and West Chester University to the full board for approval and recommended a contract with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) for comprehensive planning and instructional coaching be scheduled for board action at the end of the month. The committee also recommended approval of an English-learner services proposal through the CCIU at an estimated cost of $13,200, with staff noting the cost will be covered by Title III federal funds and carryover from the prior year.

Committee members said the district will purchase subscriptions from Everway for SymbolStix, Unique Learning Systems and News-2-You to support students who are moderate to severely cognitively impaired. A district staff member described the package as “a full curriculum… an alternative curriculum that provides reading or LEA, math, science, social studies, and transition,” plus SymbolStix for visual communication boards and News-2-You to provide age-appropriate news access. Staff estimated the materials will serve “approximately 25” students.

The committee ratified the $8,721 renewal of Learning A to Z, a program used to instruct English-language learners, to avoid service disruption, and approved a memorandum of understanding with Compass Mark for school-based prevention services in select fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms and an in-depth high-school program at Coatesville High School at a total cost of $16,480.

On extracurricular and school activity items, the committee recommended approval of several out-of-state field trips, a North Brandywine musical production contract for $740, and fundraisers including a Texas Roadhouse event. The committee also advanced a request to establish an after-school art club at Reesville Elementary; presenters said the volunteer two-year club would expand art experiences and, if interest continues, could become a paid position.

Confidential student instruction placements and settlement agreements were bundled and recommended to the full board. The committee also recommended that an independent evaluation for a student be conducted by Stephen Kakmar and moved forward a student placement item listed at $72,875 per student to the full board.

Public comment at the education committee meeting included Crystal Hunt, who identified herself as a North Brandywine parent and said, “We have had violations of rights under the nurses practitioners act,” and was directed to the district’s Oct. 28 open board meeting and a schoolboard email for further follow-up. Resident Laurie Shannon Bailey asked how Compass Mark program sites were selected and raised a concern about whether the district pursues affiliations with historically Black colleges and universities.

The committee noted planning for a district comprehensive-planning committee will begin Oct. 22; staff said about 45 stakeholders were selected to serve on the committee and that notifications to alternates would be sent by the end of the week.

The committee’s recommendations will be considered by the full Coatesville Area School District board at the district’s special or regular meeting later in October.