The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit, an entity that supports numerous educational institutes across Westmoreland County, has taken significant steps to keep its staff employed amidst a fraught state budget standoff. The intermediate unit's board, in a decision that skirts the edge of fiscal prudence, has approved a $2 million loan. This move is designed to keep layoffs at bay at least until the new year arrives, according to WPXI.
In a meeting swathed in a mix of hope and gloom, the board gave the green light to borrow a $2 million revenue anticipation note, securing employment and continuation of services for the remainder of this year. However, Jason Conway, IU executive director, highlighted the undercurrent of concern by announcing that unspecified employees will be receiving temporary layoff notices within the upcoming fortnight. These notices signal potential unemployment starting January 1st, contingent on the unresolved state budget crisis, as reported by TribLIVE.
The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit provides pivotal educational, technical, and support services to 17 school districts—a role that, if diminished, could well place the academic and personal development of students in jeopardy.
Amidst fears of a bleaker New Year, Stacey Bojac, president of the intermediate unit’s teachers, articulated a cry for equitable sacrifice. "The sacrifices are supposed to be equal. It just can’t come from labor," Bojac told TribLIVE. At stake are not just the jobs of the unit's 300 employees, which spread across various layers of educational support, but the future of a generation that relies on the steady hands of teachers and assistants for more than just lessons—they are moment-makers for countless students.
While the loan may offer a reprieve, Westmoreland County waits in the wings, hoping for a resolution before the start of 2026.
