AIU board spends freely as reserve fund dwindles

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit has hit hard times lately drawing down $12.4 million from its reserve fund over the last three years but its top administrators are getting raises, eating well and hitting luxury resorts as they preach austerity and reduce pay of some of their employees.

The AIU, which provides specialized services to school districts, spent $104,621 over those three years on food served to employees, board members and visitors.

During the same three-year period, top administrators and a handful of board members spent $260,592 to go to national and state conferences ranging from Las Vegas to Orlando to Ponte Verde Beach, Fla., to Hershey. The finance staff expensed $400 in maid, porter and valet tips.

A review of board minutes showed that the board unanimously voted without public discussion in March 2013 to provide raises to two administrators: a $10,000 raise to Michael Brinkos, assistant executive director for operations and educational services, and a $7,000 raise for Roseanne Javorksy, assistant executive director for teacher and learning. That brought their salaries to $141,245 and $131,076, respectively.

This spending was occurring as AIUs financial position was sliding.Annual independent audits show its reserve fund is down to $23.3 million after administrators drew down $12.4 million in the past three years.

The most recent audit, completed June 30, 2014, found a $1.1 million deficit in the special education program that prompted the AIU board last week to vote without public discussion to reduce the positions of full-time occupational and physical therapists from salaried to hourly and take away their benefits and ability to bill for drive and administrative time. The vote followed a three-hour, closed-door executive session.

AIU executive director Linda Hippert, former South Fayette School District superintendent, defended the spending as necessary to the organizations work.

Serving 42 school districts

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit was created by the state in 1971 as one of 29 regional education agencies to provide specialized services to school districts.

Read more:
AIU board spends freely as reserve fund dwindles