BUTLER TWP — The Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School eliminated its technology department and accepted an agreement with Questeq Educational Technology Management for IT services at its Thursday meeting.

In a vote of 7-1 by the Joint Operating Committee at a special meeting Thursday, the committee eliminated the current technology (IT) department, which employed two people.

One of the two employees of the department, technology coordinator Pam Schachern, submitted her letter of retirement Thursday morning, ending her 33-year career at the school.

Then, the committee accepted a three-year agreement with Questeq Educational Technology Management, which will provide technology support for the school.

Regina Hiler, the school’s executive director, said more contract terms, including the amount the school will pay Questeq for services is still under review by the school’s solicitor, but will be made public soon.

The committee also approved the posting of a new position, an instructional technology coach.

Following the meeting, Hiler said the elimination of the technology department had been in the works prior to the meeting.

“This wasn’t a surprise,” she said.

Hiler said the school has had a technology department since 2004.

Two employees of the vocational-technical school spoke at the meeting about their concerns of losing two school-employed technical coordinators, and how that would affect their jobs and the students’ work.

Eugene Sciulli, chief sales officer for Questeq, said after the meeting that the company will provide on-site employees who will be available to troubleshoot problems at the school.

John Conrad, Chairman of the Joint Operating Committee, thanked Schachern for her work, and congratulated her on her retirement.

“In 1989, Mrs. Schachern started as computer and informational science program instructor; in 2004 she earned a new opportunity as technology coordinator,” Conrad said. “We would like to thank Mrs. Schachern for her 33 years of service to the Butler County vo-tech school.”

The next meeting of the Joint Operating Committee will be Aug. 4.