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Board committee approves new job coach to bring transition‑house services in‑house, 4‑0
Summary
The Personnel Committee approved a job coach position to staff the district’s transition house for ages 18–22, aiming to replace Chester County IU services, improve scheduling and IEP oversight, and ultimately be cost neutral or saving; vote was 4‑0.
The West Chester Area School District Personnel Committee voted unanimously, 4‑0, to approve a job description for a job coach who will work directly with students in the district’s transition house (ages 18–22) to support workforce and independent‑living skills.
Ms. Bernadette Rita said the district currently contracts with the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) for those services under the Discover program and plans "to start to bring the programming back into the district and hire our own people." The job coach would accompany students to job sites, collaborate with managers, collect IEP data related to transition goals, and support students who may need on‑site job supports.
Ms. Rita and board members framed the change as a move toward better scheduling flexibility and potential cost savings. "It will be cost neutral or even eventually end up saving us money," she said, noting the plan to phase in two job coaches next year while scaling services over time. Board members also noted the role will be placed in the support‑professionals bargaining unit and will require job classification and salary negotiations.
The committee approved the job description and asked administration to provide clear net‑cost estimates and implementation timelines before any hires proceed. The item was approved in committee and will be forwarded to the full board for action.
