Parents, pastor press McKeesport Area board on 9th-grade science coverage and special education evaluations; staff say hires and contracted psychologists are in

Parents and a local pastor pressed the McKeesport Area School District board on Dec. 5 about gaps in 9th-grade science instruction and the handling of special education evaluations. District staff told attendees the district is seeking replacements and that contracted psychologists are being pursued to handle evaluations.

"I just wanted to know what is up with the 9th grade science teachers. So far when I look in, Skyward, there's just no grade for my daughter, 0," said Stephanie Graham, who identified herself as living at 1915 Kansas Avenue in White Oak. Graham said she had been told some students were working in the Edmentum online platform and that she had seen only one science teacher listed on the green sheet to be hired. "So 1 teacher is not gonna step in for all of those classes. Are we gonna continue with Edmentum,…