After a request to withdraw from the Indiana County Technology Center was denied by all six member schools at their respective board meetings last month, River Valley has filed a lawsuit against them claiming the district has the right to withdraw from the jointure despite the need for approval.
The suit against Indiana, Marion Center, United, Homer-Center, Penns Manor, and Purchase Line also seeks to force a sale of the school property or payment to River Valley for its share of ownership of the Hamill Road property.
All districts have hired Pittsburgh-based attorney Ira Weiss to represent them in this lawsuit.
In a statement, ICTC Executive Director Michael McDermott called River Valley’s decision quote, “disappointing,” and he adds the suit “could jeopardize the future of [ICTC] and its member districts.” McDermott adds the technical school will respond to the suit through counsel to ensure the high quality of programming continues because, in his words, “the students and families of Indiana County deserve no less.”
River Valley Superintendent submitted a separate statement to us. That is below:
“Mr. McDermott and the other districts left us no choice but to secure our freedom and protect our taxpayers. The other districts have talked about protecting each one’s own taxpayers and why is it any different for us?
“Mr. McDermott again is being disingenuous with Indiana County’s parents, students and taxpayers. ICTC has a healthy budget surplus and could survive beyond River Valley.
“Contrary to some school board members opinions, no contract is forever in the state of Pennsylvania. The solution was simple. Clearly just let us walk away and we can all move on to educating students and giving them the resources they need to succeed.
“We just have big differences on what that looks like and I stand behind the fact the River Valley STEAM Academy is a pathway for students to the future and not a doorway to the past.“
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