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2 The Spoke
After years of service to the district, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Waters and Director of Assessment and Instructional Technology Robin McConnell are retiring. As a result, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District (TESD) initiated changes to district personnel. Effective July 1, 2015, T/E Middle School (TEMS) Principal Mark Cataldi, Language Arts Supervisor Wendy Towle, ’Stoga Assistant Principals Andrew Phillips and Patrick Gately and current Octorara Senior High School Assistant Principal James Bankert will be taking new positions in TESD. Dr. Richard Gusick, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, will become the new superintendent, creating an opening in his previous position. Towle will replace Gusick, prompting Gately to assume the position of Language Arts Supervisor. Gately says he plans on doing anything he can to advance the goals and strategic mission of the
district. He believes that this new
Because Cataldi is moving to
a plan of how we could transition
“I’ve been at both middle schools and the high school as a
will become the new principal at TEMS, allowing Bankert to replace him as assistant principal. Currently, Phillips is undergoing a transitional period with Cataldi as they prepare for their new positions. “As soon as it was official I would be moving to the position
Cataldi said. Phillips was introduced to students at lunch times and met the faculty at a staff meeting. He also went to PTO meetings, music concerts and all of TEMS’ meetings
Phillips was going to be principal
lot of hard work in this district, and
now worked as an administrator at the middle school and high school, so in a lot of ways professionally, it brings my whole career together Furthermore, Cataldi was reassigned from his role as principal of TEMS to the position of Director of Accountability and Assessment.
“What I would really want to get across is that administrators are im-
Photos by Warren Zhao/The SPOKE
Administrative switcheroo: TEMS Principal Mark Cataldi and CHS Assistant Principals Patrick Gately and Andrew Phillips will be taking new positions July 1, 2015.
Cissy Ming
members approved the motion,
During its April 27 general meeting, the Tredyffrin Easttown School Board voted to designate Chester County Regional Education Services (CCRES) as the primary vendor for the district’s aides and paraeducators. Board members Elizabeth Mercogliano and James Bruce abstained from voting, while the other seven
Scott Dorsey. Aides and paraeducators working more than 27.5 hours a week were given options to continue working with their current hours under CCRES or reduce their hours and remain employed under the district. Out of the 200 aides and paraeducators employed by the school district, only 73 work more than 27.5 hours a week.
Affected district employees had to decide prior to May 15, before the district’s new policy becomes effective in early July. According to school board member Karen Cruickshank, the outsourcing decision comes mainly as a reaction to the regulations set forth by the Affordable Care Act. “We should be able to provide the wealthiest districts. However, with Act I in place, we can’t raise Cruickshank said. “This has not School board member Kevin Buraks intends for a smooth transition for aides and paraeducators affected by outsourcing. “We have spoken with paraeducators and aides in developing
one-time $2,000 bonus under both plans to offset the cost of purchasing personal health insurance. While CCRES proposes to allows aides and paraeducators to change vendors at any time and continue working in TESD, it does not supply health care coverage. Because CCRES fails to provide health insurance for the outsourced aides and paraeducators, the school district risks incurring a $2,000 monthly fine per employee for violating the terms of the Affordable Care Act. Community members addressing the school board expressed concern about the welfare of special needs students. “The vendors being considered are subpar, and outsourcing will Betsy Grossman, speaking on behalf of a group of parents. “The board’s decision will affect our
to keep the same paraeducators In previous meetings, the board narrowed a list of potential vendors to CCRES and Delta T, which currently supplies 54 aides and paraeducators in the district. Though both vendors have employees working in the school Ian Ong/The SPOKE district, neither of the proposed Sticking around: Marybeth McGowan, who plans to continue her work contracts changed the terms of under the district, is one of many aides who will face work hour cuts. On employment. The school board April 27, school board members voted to outsource aides and paraeducators. agreed to pay affected employees a
However, School Board President Kristine Graham claimed both vendor candidates gave aides the necessary training to perform their jobs, in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements. The school board anticipates holding an informational meeting between CCRES representatives and the district’s aides and paraeducators in the near future.