Job eliminations and furloughs continue among the special education staff of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, with the board on Monday night eliminating 12 full-time and four part-time positions and closing a small program for preschoolers with autism.

Four of the full-time positions — two vision teachers, a hearing support teacher, and a speech and language pathologist — were either currently not filled or the employee retired. One of the part-time positions — a speech and language pathologist — was not filled at the time of elimination.

But employees who were terminated included four full-time and two part-time educational interpreters — those who provide sign language services for deaf students.

Also terminated were an instructional assistant, a mental health specialist and a mental health worker who were employees in the Early Behavior Intensive Intervention Program, which was closed. The full-time teacher in that program was furloughed but will be placed on a list for recall if a position opens up.

The early behavior program, started in 2008, operated out of a location in the Sto-Rox School District and enrollment has fallen to only six students, said Cathy Lobaugh, assistant executive director for Early Childhood, Family and Community Services.

Monday's job reductions are in addition to the 33.8 jobs eliminated since April.

In June, representatives from the accounting firm Schneider Downs said that the special education program required a $2.3 million subsidy in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years and that cuts were necessary to balance the program budget.

Enrollment numbers in June showed a 55 percent decrease in students served by AIU special education teachers who work in districts and a 21 percent decrease in students enrolled in three special education centers operated by the AIU.

At Monday’s meeting, where a lengthy public workshop session was held for the first time in months, AIU executive director Linda Hippert cited enrollment statistics that showed a 5 percent drop at Pathfinder School, about 14 percent at Mon Valley School and a 27 percent drop at Sunrise School.

Victoria Campbell, president of the union that represents the AIU special education teachers, said she questioned those numbers given the fact that school hasn't started. She said more accurate numbers would be available in September.

In addition to the job eliminations, the board approved pursuing a line of credit to help with cash flow in the special education department in between the time districts are billed for services and when their payment is received.

In other business, the board approved the hiring of Joseph Lucarelli as director of finance and business operations. He will start on Oct. 1 and was given a four-year contract with a starting salary of $135,000. Mr. Lucarelli is currently senior vice president of financial operations at Hudson Global.

Mary Niederberger: mniederberger@post-gazette.com.

First Published: August 25, 2015, 1:55 a.m.
Updated: August 25, 2015, 3:21 a.m.