The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
300 East Swissvale Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
(800) 624-3323 V/TTY
WPSD Video Release 05/08/2009
Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today that an agreement has been reached between the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) that provides for the continuation of a school for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Northeast Pennsylvania, while closing the Scranton State School for the Deaf (SSSD) as part of the 2009-2010 state budget cuts.
"The Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf has a track record of success and is committed to ensuring every child at the Scranton State School for the Deaf will continue to receive the services and opportunities necessary to meet their unique needs,” Secretary Zahorchak said.
WPSD currently provides quality educational services and a complete extracurricular program to deaf and hard-of-hearing children from 101 school districts and 31 counties across Pennsylvania. WPSD operates an office in Camp Hill, PA, which serves as a center for outreach and support programs for the state’s deaf community. The Camp Hill office also serves as the transportation center for the residential students from central and eastern PA.
“We were approached by PDE to provide educational services to these students as part of the state’s commitment to serving the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students,” said Donald E. Rhoten, WPSD Superintendent. “WPSD will establish a satellite program on the SSSD campus as of July 1, 2009. We are committed to establishing a program in Northeast Pennsylvania on a long-term basis. WPSD will remember and respect the history and contributions of the Scranton State School for the Deaf as well as the staff, alumni and other individuals who have worked hard to provide educational services to hundreds of deaf and hard-of-hearing children throughout their 129-year history. We owe them a pledge to continue their mission of providing quality programs for deaf and hard of hearing children in Northeast Pennsylvania."
"We take seriously our mission of Preparing Students. For Life.”