News for Superintendents and Board Members: June 15, 2007
Dennis Mattei
With deepest regret, I inform you of the death of Dennis Mattei. Dennis was employed as a special education teacher by Intermediate Unit 1 for the past 33 years. Dennis was recognized in 1998 as the IU1 Annie Sullivan Award winner for his outstanding work with students with disabilities. He was a pioneer in his work with the Helping Hands program at Margaret Bell Miller Middle School. The program facilitates positive interactions among student with disabilities and their non-disabled peers. Dennis' work touched many individuals during his tenure. Intermediate Unit 1 and the communities of Greene County have lost a wonderful human being.
GASB 45
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued Statement No. 45 in 2004. Under the new GASB No. 45 standards, school districts must account for and report the cost of post-employment benefits over the working lifetime of employees. Up until these changes, the cost was simply reported on a "pay-as-you-go" basis. The cash paid for benefits equaled the reported expense. Under the new rules, a qualified actuary must calculate the cost and determine the amounts expected to be paid in the future. These costs and respective liabilities can have a substantial impact on your district's financial statements. Correspondingly, the effect on your district's financial statements may impact your credit rating and your ability to borrow money.
On Friday, May 11, Mr Musiolowski and a committee of school district business managers interviewed three (3) firms for GASB 45 actuarial services on a consortium basis. The three firms interviewed were Conrad Siegel, Cowden Associates, and Joe Duda Consulting. The consensus of the group was to use the services of Joe Duda Consulting.
The original GASB 45 analysis will include funded/non-funded ARC (Annual Required Contribution). Should a district receive a GASB 45 analysis which they believe to be high and are in contract negotiations, Duda Consulting would be willing to work with the district to find avenues to decrease the liability (i.e. increased co-pay for retirees, reduce the benefit level for actives, etc.). Duda Consulting's prices include two (2) free additional runs (outside the current plan) for this service. Duda Consulting has also agreed to meet with the individual school boards to discuss the results of their analysis and the impact on the district.
Districts are being invited to join the consortium and realize the corresponding cost savings for the service.
ACCESS Billing Services
IU1 participated in an administrative time study through the School Based Medicaid ACCESS Program earlier this winter. The study is conducted on a quarterly basis to determine the administrative costs associated with the delivery of ACCESS eligible services. We have been notified of the results of the study. Accordingly, we will receive a reimbursement of $8,313 to help offset our administrative costs for operating the program.
Intermediate Unit 1 Computer Fair
IU1 partnered with Waynesburg College again this year to conduct the regional Computer Fair. The college, through the work of Mr. Krause, hosted the competition and provided many of the judges, including college faculty and students. Winners of the regional competition go onto Harrisburg for the statewide competition. Students from the IU1 region have been very successful at the state level over the past several years. Kristin van Strien, Assistant Director of Information Services, presented and introduced some of the high school students who participated at the state level at our May 24, 2007 Board of Directors meeting.
2007 Outstanding Adult Student
The second presentation at our May 24, 2007 Board of Directors meeting recognized Mr. John Liggett as one of Pennsylvania's 2007 Outstanding Adult Students. Mrs. Sue Conrady, Director of ABLE, ESL and Non-Public Educational Services, presented John and his Intermediate Unit 1 instructor, Mrs. Kathy Pavel who described John's path to attaining his GED and Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma. John's story is posted on the IU1 website.
