About Us

The Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 (CIU20) is one of 29 intermediate units throughout Pennsylvania. They were created in 1971 to provide services to school districts in ways that create economies of scale, cost savings, and better efficiencies in the delivery of important programs and services to children, especially those with special needs. We also play an important role in providing substantial support services to the administrators and teachers in the 13 school districts that comprise IU 20.

Our overall mission as an intermediate unit is:

to strengthen and supplement local school district programs and services to children and their families
to provide leadership without dominance
to provide assistance without interference.

Specifically, our mission at IU 20 is to be a resourceful community partner supporting student growth through education, social services, and business initiatives.

Our staff serves 13 school districts and 3 career and technical centers in Northampton, Monroe, and Pike Counties, which are 3 of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania. With 1200 full and part-time staff and budgets totaling $119 million, we are one of our community's largest employers and contributors. We serve 79,000 public school children; 9,000 non-public school children; and 7,000 professional staff in our service region of 1200 square miles.