Superintendent Patrick O'Toole presented Primary Years Program student data Monday night as the Upper St. Clair School Board hopes to decide whether to make Streams Elementary an all IB school by the end of January.

PYP is the International Baccalaureate program designed for elementary students. It is currently available at Streams Elementary.

Dr. O'Toole said keeping both the traditional and PYP programs at Streams has become operationally difficult. The board must decide whether to abandon the PYP program or make PYP the only program available at Streams.

O'Toole said 58 percent of students at Streams were enrolled in PYP in the 2007-08 school year.

Currently, he said 81 percent of students are enrolled in PYP.

Looking strictly at first graders in Streams, there is one classroom of 18 students. Ten of those students are on the waiting list for PYP, as well as three students at Eisenhower Elementary and six students at Baker Elementary.

Dr. O'Toole said there were enough students to open up a new classroom, but the district "couldn't afford it with staffing."

In 2011-12 school year, there are 317 enrolled in PYP—260 from the Streams district, 21 from the Eisenhower district and 35 from the Baker district.

Rebecca Stern, the school board's vice president, said she needs to know more about the elementary building capacities.

Dr. O'Toole said Eisenhower is getting close to having the maximum amount of students to comfortably educate in the building. He said administrators are concerned about space if there is a large increase in enrollment and they are keeping in touch with township officials about possible new neighborhood developments.

School Director Barbara Bolas asked about the possibility of the PYP program spreading to a second school if enrollment jumped. Dr. O'Toole said "everything is on the table."

A parent survey will be distributed to help administrators and board members better understand PYP interest and concerns.

Separation Agreement
The board unanimously agreed to eliminate the director of human resources position in the Upper St. Clair School District. The position had been held by James Lersch. Dr. O'Toole said the restructuring move was made due to the difficult economic times.

Retirements
Dr. John Bornyas, director of operations, community relations and special projects, will retire on Jan. 4, 2012. Bornyas began working in the district in 1977 and worked with the last five superintendents.

Janet Jones, a Fort Couch Middle School teacher aide, will also be retiring after 18 years of service.

Merit Increases
The board unanimously agreed to give Dr. O'Toole a $2,500 merit increase after his annual review. The salary increase will be paid in semi-monthly installments.

On Sept. 26, the board also approved merit increases for school administrators. The increase was 1.75 percent of their salary and was based on individual performance reviews.