My b2evolution Version: 2.x

Hi all - I'm trying to set a $_SESSION variable in one of the admin edit pages but find that it's being erased.

Does b2evolution wipe out the $_SESSION variables for some reason? I tried a test of setting it near the top of the edit page and echoing it in the footer and it was not set (undefined var)...

Is there a way to get b2 *not* to do that? I need an application outside of b2 to be able to read a $_SESSION var based on if the user is admin level or not...

Thanks for any assistance ;-)