District adds K-4 alternative education

The Steel Valley school board has voted to add alternative education classes for students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

The classes are for students with disciplinary or behavioral problems that interrupt the learning process for other students.

Until now, the district had about 15 seats for students in middle school and high school to receive alternative education at the Batch Center in Munhall, which was founded by former Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch and his wife, Latasha Wilson Batch, who holds a master’s degree in professional counseling.

Several rooms in the former Franklin Primary Center, which now also houses the district’s administrative offices, are being readied to house Steel Valley middle and high school students who need alternative educationclasses.

Meanwhile, kindergarten through fourth grade students who do will go to the Batch Center.

Diana Borges, director of pupil personnel, special services and elementary education, said children referred to the program would have had a certain number of visits to the school office and disciplinary referrals.

The student probably would already have a “positive behavior support plan” in place and have had at least two behavioral observations by a school counselor, Ms. Borges said.

“If the behaviors continue, and the plan doesn’t work, [the student] might be referred to [the Batch Center],” she said.

Ms. Borges said students coming from out of state with documented behavior problems who are not receiving counseling may also be consideredfor the Batch Center.

She said parents will be informed about what is happening every step of the way, and the district will work with them throughouttheprocess.

Ms. Borges said behavioral problems have increased in the student population during thepast 10 years.

Besides instruction in math, English language arts, science and social studies at different grade levels, children receiving alternative education will be given instruction from the evidence-based Second Step character education and social skills program, Ms. Borges said.

They also will learn cooperation and social-emotional skills, she said. Ms. Borges said the young students will be taught how to get their needs met in appropriate ways and how to be a friend, among other instruction.

They also will receive group mentoring and support from Ms. Batch each week, and will receive services from counselorsin the Steel Valley Wellness GroupLLC.

The purpose of the instruction and counseling will be to enable the students to be “able to function in the general education setting,” Ms. Borges said, and to be returned to their regular classes.

She said she doubts any kindergarten students will need the alternative education program.

Information on how many Steel Valley middle and high school students were referred to alternative education classes during the 2017-2018 and2016-2017 school years was not available from school administrators.

At the regular school board meeting on July 26, school directors also voted to realign the duties of district principals.

Middle school principal Bryan Macuga will be principal of both the middle and high schools during the coming school year, with the title of “secondary campus principal/federal programs director.”

Two secondary assistant principals will now be called “secondary associate principals.” And a dean of student discipline position from years pastwill be recreated.

School director Kathy Ligeros said during the last school year, the district also had four administrators, “and we still had 10 fights.” The cafeteria was identified as the place where the fights occurred.

Board member David Colasante said he thinks Mr. Macuga is “very competent,” and able to handle his new position.

A new district safety plan also will alter where teachers or administrators stand to monitor student behavior, district representatives said.