BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School Joint Operating Committee unanimously approved three policy items related to special needs students Thursday, March 6.

The items include a revision to their current special education policy, as well as the addition of new policies for “discipline of students with disabilities” and “behavior support.”

Before voting, Vice Chairman Frederick Peterson Jr. asked executive director Regina Hiler the percentage of students that fall within special needs. Hiler estimated the number to be 40%.

A first reading of the policy items were unanimously approved at February’s meeting.

During the February meeting, committee members iterated the revision of the special education policy is to ensure it is up-to-date and does not affect the policy in any significant way.

Hiler previously said in February that policies are recommended on occasion from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. When a policy is needed or wanted, the committee moves to adopt them.

Now that the policies are passed, the school will reflect the new revision and additions.

In other business, the committee unanimously approved an articulation agreement between the school and Community College of Allegheny County.

The agreement allows students under the health assistant and sports medicine programs to receive credits at the college.

According to Hiler, students will be eligible to gain up to three credits at the college. She said one of the reasons behind the agreement is due to recent graduate survey results.

“Our students are going outside of Butler County. Not that we’re pushing them to, but we’re going to give them opportunities anywhere we can,” Hiler said.