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Board questions purchases for nonpublic schools; administration says intermediate unit passes through federal and state funds
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Summary
A board director asked why Mount Oliver Intermediate Unit purchased technology for private schools; the unit’s representative said Title II‑A and Title IV funds are passed through to provide services for nonpublic students and do not come from the district’s operating budget.
During the March 18 agenda review, Director Diodati asked why the Mount Oliver Intermediate Unit had purchased technology for private schools, citing $9,000 for Dell Chromebooks at Winchester Thurston and $2,000 for a laser cutter at Shadyside Academy.
"I just, I'm just confused why we're why Winchester Thurston and Shadyside Academy specifically... $9,000 worth of Dell Chromebooks and... $2,000 for a laser cutter and engraver," Director Diodati said.
Miss Solak, the Mount Oliver Intermediate Unit representative, replied that intermediate units act as intermediaries for federal and state funds that nonpublic schools cannot receive directly. "Our intermediate unit primarily services non public schools because non public schools still do get federal and state funds. They can't get the funds directly, but with those funds, we provide services like reading and math support, and then they also get... Title II‑A and Title IV funds that provide things like the technology you mentioned," she said.
Miss Solak said those funds are allocated through CCS contracts and similar programs to support services for students in nonpublic schools and are not drawn from the Pittsburgh Public Schools operating budget. The exchange closed with the clarification that the purchases reflect services paid through intermediate‑unit allocations rather than district discretionary spending.
Next steps: Item 26.01 from the Mount Oliver intermediate unit agenda was pulled for April’s agenda; no formal vote or policy change was taken at this meeting.
