Suburban Pittsburgh School to Run Scranton School for Deaf

The privately-operated Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) has agreed to run the Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD). In his budget proposal, Governor Ed Rendell proposed shutting down the Scranton School to save millions of dollars.
Now the State Department of Education has finalized a plan to keep the Scranton School for the Deaf's doors open, but the school isn't endorsing the transition. Education officials say the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf will take charge of SSSD, which will operate as a kindergarten through grade 12 residential school during the 2009-2010 academic year. But then it will transition to a K through 8 day facility.

WPSD superintendent Donald Rhoten says he's committed to keeping the Scranton School open.

"Once we have the school established, we have no plans ever to leave. It's an ongoing commitment of WPSD's board of trustees and our staff. We are planning to stay in northeast Pennsylvania indefinitely."


Executive Deputy Education Secretary Tom Gluck says the Scranton school's 78 full-time employees will be laid off at the conclusion of the current term. But Gluck says some teachers will be able to stay on.
"As part of the transition plan, WPSD will interview all current SSSD employees who are qualified for the positions needed for the 2009-2010 school year, and who are interested in employment."

But Scranton School superintendent Monita Hara says it's a "sad day" for her organization, and vows to keep fighting to save SSSD as an independent entity.