Jim Thorpe Area School District’s Board of Directors tabled a proposal Wednesday night to bring two life skills classrooms back under the district’s management for the 2025-26 school year. Currently, the classrooms are run through the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, but the district is exploring the transition as a way to save money and increase control over its operations.

One of the motivations behind the proposal, district officials said, is the potential cost savings.

Superintendent Robert Presley said the district could save approximately $90,000 annually by managing the life skills program internally.

“How can you turn down a chance to save $90,000?” Director Gerald Strubinger said regarding the motion. Strubinger was the lone Jim Thorpe board member who voted against tabling the matter.

Presley said the move would also bring benefits of greater control.

“It becomes our classroom,” he said. “We have more control over it. We can then keep students in our Jim Thorpe Area schools from kindergarten through senior year.”

The continuity, he suggested, could allow the district to tailor the program to better meet the needs of its students.

Despite those advantages, some board members voiced concerns about the readiness of the district to take on this responsibility.

“I am not opposed at all to bringing these students back, but we need to look at our current programs and ensure they are running with fidelity and integrity before adding more,” Director Michele Mazzola said.

In addition to Mazzola, voting to table were Mary Figura, Dennis McGinley, Michele Banks and Pearl Downs-Sheckler. Three board members were absent.

“We need to take a closer look at our current programs and determine what’s best for our students and staff before moving forward,” Mazzola said.