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Board creates special-education director post and hires facilities director
Summary
The board approved creation of a special-education director position under Act 93 and hired Daniel J. Kremer as director of facilities and operations with a $75,000 salary; trustees debated costs, expected savings on due-process hearings, and a three‑month overlap that will temporarily double maintenance supervision pay.
The Southmoreland School Board voted to create a director of special education under an Act 93 agreement and approved hiring Daniel J. Kremer as director of facilities and operations during its May 19 meeting.
Administrators told trustees the special-education director is intended to advocate for students and families and to address a significant growth in special-education enrollments: the administration noted identified special-education students grew from about 292 a decade ago to 416 now, and low-incidence programs increased from two to eight. Administration said the role would fill gaps and reduce administrative strain.
Some trustees pushed back on the cost, citing an estimated salary range of $100,000–$125,000 for the special-education director and questioning whether hiring one administrator would eliminate or materially reduce due‑process expenditures. One trustee suggested administrators who forecast savings should sign a guarantee — a proposal that did not advance.
The board approved the hiring of Daniel J. Kremer as director of facilities and operations with a salary of $75,000 and benefits per the Act 93 agreement. Trustees noted a planned three‑month overlap between the outgoing and incoming director that will result in double salary and benefits for that period; the administration said the overlap is a transition practice.
Votes on the new positions were taken by roll call after extended discussion. The board also approved related administrative pay adjustments and a confidential administrative/HR specialist position earlier in the meeting.
The special-education director position will be implemented according to Act 93 terms; salary band and exact start date were referenced as "to be determined" during the meeting. The board did not provide an immediate, guaranteed reduction in due‑process hearings or contractual paybacks if hearings continue.
