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Most people never see the machinery that keeps Pennsylvania’s schools running. We pull back the curtain with Dr. Mark Leidy, Executive Director of PAIU, to reveal how Intermediate Units quietly connect state policy to classroom reality for 500 districts—and why that “quiet engine” was straining under the budget impasse that froze both state and federally routed funds.
We trace Mark’s path from middle school science teacher to superintendent to statewide leader and dig into the three pillars that guide IU work: advocacy to secure stable resources, networking to spread what works across regions, and innovation to meet needs that districts can’t shoulder alone. Our focus lands on Early Intervention, where the stakes are highest and the payoff is undeniable. We also tackle school choice with a simple proposition: if we’re competing, let’s agree to common rules and transparent costs so dollars reach kids.
As the nation nears its 250th year, Pennsylvania’s legacy in public education calls for a bold mindset: spend lavishly on learning where it matters most, and keep the engine running. If this conversation reshaped how you see IUs, early intervention, and funding, help us keep it moving—subscribe, share with a colleague or local leader, and leave a review with the one change you’d prioritize first.
Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed
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