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, or are we looking for a long term sub?" she asked.

A district staff member answered that hiring for full-time replacements is ongoing. "We are continuing to look for full time replacements for any vacancy that we have," the staff member said, and added that "there are some kids that are working in the Edmentum platform." The staff member also offered to have the director of special education reach out to a speaker who raised a specific special-education concern.

Carolyn Cash, who spoke after Graham, said she was concerned that a staff member referenced as "Missus Kells" had resigned and asked how a 45-day special education timeline would be handled if the staff member was no longer available. A district staff member said special-education evaluations are performed by school psychologists and offered to have the special-education director "reach out to you tomorrow" to provide details.

Pastor Erlene Coleman of Bethlehem Baptist Church, who also spoke during public comment, said she has repeatedly observed what she described as "pat answers" from the district when parents ask specific questions about building-level issues and staffing. "We're getting pat answers," she said, and asked the board to provide more specific follow-up on classroom and personnel issues.

Board discussion and the publicly posted agenda indicated the district is pursuing contracted psychological services: an agenda item listed a contract psychologist (agenda item 5.3) among curriculum and special-education items. A board member asked whether the contracted psychologist would assist with the kinds of evaluations raised during public comment; a district official responded that the contracted services would be the type of resource to perform special-education psychological evaluations and that the district is recruiting to reduce evaluation wait times.

The district invited public commenters to share contact information; staff said the director of special education would follow up directly with at least one commenter the next day. No formal policy or contract was adopted at the Dec. 5 meeting during public comment; the listed contract psychologist and other curriculum items appeared on the agenda for future action.

What’s next: District staff said they will follow up with speakers and continue recruiting for full-time teachers and contracted evaluators. Parents and community members can expect follow-up from the special-education director and future agenda items covering related contracts and hires.