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Penn Manor board to place student‑engagement and learning‑facilitator job descriptions on May 19 agenda
Summary
Superintendent Philip Gale asked the board to place two job descriptions — a student engagement facilitator and expanded‑day learning facilitator contracts — on the May 19 voting agenda. Directors asked for measurable goals and full cost breakdowns before final approval; the motion to place both items on the agenda passed.
Penn Manor School District Superintendent Philip P.B. Gale asked the School Board on May 5 to place two personnel items on the May 19 voting agenda: a student engagement facilitator to coordinate supports for chronically absent and habitually truant students, and a change to learning‑facilitator contracts that would increase work days from 190 to 209.
Gale said the student engagement facilitator would act as a "team leader" who coordinates counselors, social workers, IEP teachers and administrators to develop and oversee student attendance improvement plans, including work under Act‑related attendance rules. He cited high‑school data through April 23 showing 284 students with six or more unlawful or unexcused absences and stressed that existing efforts had not reduced persistent truancy for many students.
Board members asked for concrete goals and metrics before approving a permanent position. One director asked for a realistic, trackable target — for example, an annual percentage reduction in students with persistent truancy — so the district can judge whether the position is producing results. Several directors also requested an "all‑in" cost comparison showing the difference between current hourly curriculum pay and the proposed 209‑day contracts (including benefits and payroll taxes).
Gale said the student engagement facilitator would report to the high‑school principal but would operate as a coordinator across multiple staff who already provide services. He recommended the facilitator be made permanent because many students have multi‑year attendance patterns that will take more than one year to change.
A motion to place both job descriptions on the May 19 voting agenda was moved, seconded and approved by the board. Directors recorded requests that the two items be presented separately on the voting agenda and that the administration provide the requested cost detail and explicit performance goals before the vote.
Next steps: the job descriptions will appear on the May 19 voting agenda; the board asked administrators to return with caseload and cost details and proposed performance metrics for the student engagement facilitator prior to any final hiring vote.
