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Pocono News Section
Transition Begins at Scranton School for the Deaf
Transition Begins at Scranton School for the Deaf - Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 6:44PM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 @ 06:44pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Even without a new state budget in place, one of Governor Ed Rendell's proposed ideas has gone into effect. The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf officially has replaced the old staff at the Scranton State School for the Deaf.
Officials say their first order of business is hiring all the staff they will need. They say that process will likely take until the end of the summer. Classes are expected to begin August 31.
"It's very difficult for all people involved here. We understand that. We honor the proud tradition of this school and all the good things they've accomplished here," Gregg Bowers said. Bowers is the Assistant Superintendent for the Western PA School for the Deaf.
"All of our focus is on getting the proper staff in place for this school and to open and to continue to be a quality educational program," Bowers said.
Even before Wednesday's official transition, Western PA officials were on campus. They already had begun a summer school session. Roughly 20 kids are taking part.
Nancy Benham has been named the school's principal. She's involved in the summer program. She knows the transition will be challenging, but says the fact that the school's residential program will remain at least this coming year is comforting.
"That will help the students a lot because they feel at home even though the name of the school has changed and some of the faces will be changing. That will give the foundation that it is continuing," Benham said.
Still, many questions remain. They include whether or not a residential program will exist after the first year and will classes still be held at the current facility. Those questions are still up in the air.
"There are no guarentees for that. We'll have to see how that plays out," Bowers said. | | |
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