Lehighton Area School District entered into an expanded agreement Monday night with Garnet Financial LLC, which will see the firm take on a greater role in managing the district’s business office.

Under the new agreement, Garnet, led by Stacy Gober, will serve as the district’s interim business manager and will conduct a comprehensive business office performance review.

In the agreement, Garnet Financial will be compensated at a rate of $125 per hour, increasing to $135 per hour after Feb. 1, 2025. Consultant services can be delivered either remotely or on-site, at Garnet Financial’s discretion, according to the agreement.

The move comes after Lehighton’s latest business manager, Steven Sofranko, resigned Aug. 7, just over a month after he was hired, citing health reasons.

Edward Rarick, who was the business manager prior to Sofranko, resigned Jan. 10 after the district informed him his contract would not be renewed.

The same night Lehighton hired Sofranko in June, it also approved an agreement with Garnet services including business management, mentoring, and professional development.

Under the terms of the agreement, Garnet Financial was to be compensated at a rate of $100 per hour for services provided between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

The report generated by Garnet as a part of Monday night’s contract will be presented to the district’s superintendent and board president.

Lehighton’s board on Monday also discussed the question of how to manage its business office operations moving forward. The district is weighing the decision between hiring a traditional business manager or outsourcing the role to an external firm.

The board has already posted a job listing for a traditional business manager, with applications currently being reviewed. However, the possibility of outsourcing the position has gained traction.

“There are different options of how we can move ahead,” Board President Jeremy Glaush said, noting that outsourcing could streamline operations and reduce political complications. “I honestly think that looking into outsourcing this position would save us a lot of money and a lot of political activity in the background.”

Despite the potential benefits of outsourcing, some board members expressed concerns about the need for a business manager who has more at stake.

“I personally think it’s best to have someone who’s invested in the district and the kids,” director Barbara Bowes said.

Another key point raised during the meeting was the importance of ensuring that any business manager, whether hired directly or through an external firm, has the proper qualifications.

“If we go outside, we have to make sure that the business manager has the qualifications and credentials to be able to sign documents,” Jack Corby, interim superintendent, said.

Monday’s meeting concluded with a commitment to carefully evaluate both options.