Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors on Monday night signed an agreement to outsource its business management services to a Delaware-based financial firm for at least the next year.

According to the compensation structure outlined in the agreement, EDM Financial LLC will bill the district at a rate of $125 per hour, with payments due within 45 days of invoice receipt for all undisputed amounts.

Interim Superintendent Jack Corby said the firm would take over for Garnet Financial LLC, which was brought on at $125 per hour in August following the resignation of business manager Steven Sofranko. Sofranko resigned Aug. 7, just over a month after he was hired, citing health reasons.

“EDM will be here a few days a week to oversee everything,” Corby said. “It’s a one-year contract that the board can evaluate on an ongoing basis. If everything goes well, it can be renewed. If not, there are options on either side.”

Either party can terminate the agreement for any reason with 60 days written notice.

The contract calls for EDM to complete a comprehensive review and improvement of the district’s financial management operations. The firm will assess current practices by examining the district’s organizational structure, job descriptions, and the strengths and weaknesses within the business and operations team. It is also tasked with creating both short-term and long-term plans to transition key financial processes, such as month-end reconciliations, budget development, grant management and investment oversight, to an outsourced model.

EDM, per the contract, will also oversee the annual audit process and facilitate the district’s request for proposals and contract management processes.

According to the agreement, the firm will provide 20-30 hours per week “depending on needs, directives and other requirements to meet deadlines and obligations.”

Monday’s meeting yielded little discussion before Lehighton’s board voted 6-2 to hire EDM, with directors Barbara Bowes and Kerry Sittler in opposition.

The board did discuss the pros and cons of hiring a traditional business manager versus outsourcing the job during its August meeting.

“There are different options of how we can move ahead,” board President Jeremy Glaush said at the time, 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,” Bowes said in August.