Franklin Regional restructures administration in pursuit of better student support services
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Franklin Regional school officials did some administrative restructuring Monday night, in pursuit of providing more and better support services for students.
FR’s education director Jennifer DiFulvio will step into a new role as assistant superintendent where she will work alongside current assistant superintendent Matthew Delp, who was hired last month.
DiFulvio entered into a three-year contract, with a salary the same as Delp’s, $155,000 per year.
“We are reorganizing the administrative team,” Superintendent Gennaro Piraino said. “Matthew Delp will be in charge of secondary education and human resources, and Jennifer DiFulvio will be in charge of student support services and elementary education.”
Piraino said the shift will allow the district to hone its focus at both the elementary and secondary level when it comes to providing support services for students.
“We’re really looking to improve and enhance the amount of services we’re providing students,” Piraino said.
Part of that effort includes taking part in the University of Pittsburgh’s Maximizing Adolescent Potential program.
Under the agreement, Pitt officials would provide support services through the university’s program “to fill any gaps in student assistance and behavioral health service,” according to the agreement.
The program engages parents, helps train faculty and staff and provides intervention among students who need positive behavioral intervention and support. It also provides transition help for students involved with out-of-school placement, threat assessments, and participation in magistrate and court hearings on behalf of students.
Two social-service liaisons from the MAPS program will provide those services, with one at the primary and intermediate schools, and one working with the middle and high school.
The $150,000 contract runs for one school year, ending in June 2023. It will be available to all students.
“Students come to us with more-complex needs than ever now,” Piraino said. “And we want to work to meet those needs.”
The district will seek candidates for DiFulvio’s current position, which will be shifted to director of instruction and support services.