Allegheny Valley Superintendent Patrick Graczyk is proposing the district add two new administrative roles and expand programs in an effort to bolster support for students.
Graczyk presented the plan to Allegheny Valley School Board earlier this month, though any official changes are likely months away, board President Paula Moretti said.
If enacted the superintendent’s plan would create positions for a dean of students and an assistant principal.
Allegheny Valley, with its student population of about 900, is split between K-6 Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar and 7-12 Springdale Jr.-Sr. High School in Springdale.
The assistant principal would focus on grades 5-8, hovering between the two buildings. The dean of students, tasked with student disciplinary matters and district projects, such as an anti-bullying campaign, would also float throughout both schools.
The assistant principal position would mean that the Acmetonia principal would focus on grades K-4, while the high school principal would monitor grades 9-12.
The dean position, Graczyk said, would allow building principals to focus more on academics and student support.
“In a sense, we are liberating our principals to spend more time in their classrooms,” the superintendent said.
Graczyk also discussed enhancing school psychologist and elementary interventionist activities to help aid younger students and drive up lagging test scores. The interventionists serve at the school to offer supplemental instruction to students who need it, according to Moretti
Among younger students, the superintendent said, the district has seen increasing literacy issues, which he described as the “lead domino” of education.
“We are seeing more students come into our early grades with deficiencies — behaviorally, academically, with learning,” Graczyk said. “We want to put more support at the elementary school to address those needs at an early age.”
For older students, Graczyk proposed expanding workforce opportunities, such as the district’s fireman course, and partnerships with the Community College of Allegheny County.
“We want kids to know their options,” he said.
The superintendent’s proposals, part of the planning for next school year, are “only in the talking stages,” Moretti said.
As the board considered the proposals, Treasurer Nino Pollino asked if the board should consider moving sixth grade students from the elementary school to the Jr.-Sr. high school.
It’s a conversation the board has had before, Moretti said, but it’s unclear where it will lead in the coming months.
Moretti said Graczyk’s proposals were “food for thought,” saying she would reserve her opinion until the board further discusses the items.
She said she expects those discussions to resume at next month’s meetings.
“I’m optimistic and think the best will come,” Moretti said.
