News for Superintendents and Board Members: August 14, 2007
IU1 Mourns the Death of First Executive Director
Harry Jay Brownfield, died on Thursday, August 2, 2007 of sudden acute leukemia.
In 1971, upon the legislature's abolition of the old County Superintendent system and its replacement with the new Intermediate Unit system, Mr. Brownfield was elected as the first Executive Director of Intermediate Unit 1, covering Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties. He continued in this position until his retirement in 1993, having served for 43 years in Pennsylvania public education. Prior to becoming the Executive Director, Mr. Brownfield, was elected as Fayette County Superintendent of Schools in 1968. In 1963, he was appointed as Assistant County Superintendent of Schools of Fayette County.
Mr. Brownfield graduated from South Union Township High School in 1946 and attended Slippery Rock State Teachers College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education in 1950. He received a Master of Arts degree in School Administration from West Virginia University and earned a principal's certificate and superintendent's letter of eligibility.
Welcome New Board Officers
This month the new officers for the 2007-08 school year begin their terms of office. We are pleased to have these individuals serve:
- President - Ms. Francine Pavone, Brownsville Area School District
- Vice President - Mr. Richard Krause, Carmichaels Area School district
- Treasurer - Mr. George Safin, California Area School District
New Managing Director for PaTTAN-Pittsburgh
On September 4, 2007, Mr. James Palmiero will become the managing Director of PaTTAN-Pittsburgh. He will replace Dr. Ellen Romett who is retiring next month. Jim is currently employed as the Assistant Superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District and in this role he supervises and evaluates the district's administrative personnel, directs the school improvement planning initiatives, oversees the curriculum review and adoption processes, directs the special and alternative education programs, and chairs the districts' Act 48 and Strategic Planning process. Jim has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and has completed all his coursework for his Doctor of Education in Administration and Policy Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to working at Woodland Hills, he was a Curriculum Specialist with Allegheny Intermediate Unit and also held the positions of Communications Arts Program Director, Department Chair and Elementary Teacher at North Allegheny School District. Early on, Jim was a Fulbright Teaching Fellow at the Hillside Academy in Norwich England. He has also served as an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh. We are very pleased to welcome Jim as the new Managing Director of PaTTAN-Pittsburgh
Opening of the 2007-08 School Year
We formally begin the 2007-08 school year on August 14, 2007 with the first day of in-service for our staff. This year's theme is, "Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much." The variety of topics to be presented at in-service include: Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training, Reading Apprenticeship Program, School and Special Education Law, Integrating Technology into Instruction, Communicating with Parents, and Supporting the Instructional Process. Professional staff will also participate in school district in-service programs to varying degrees. Classes for students begin on August 27, 2007 for most school districts. Others open school on August 29, August 30, or September 4, 2007.
IU1 Student Named As Pennsylvania's 2007 Outstanding Adult Student
This month, the Board recognized Mr. John Ligget 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.
