Lehighton Area School District aims to assume control of an elementary emotional support classroom currently outsourced to the Behavioral Health Associates.

Special Education Director Sandra Michalik said the BHA classroom currently costs an annual flat rate of $180,000 no matter how many students are involved. The program includes a teacher and two staff members — a paraprofessional and a registered behavior technician — who have specialized training in behavior modification, de-escalation techniques, and restorative practices.

“The current program at our elementary center actually has five students,” Michalik said. “If the program were more stable right now, we would have more, but right now we have five students that are being maintained in the program.”

Superintendent Jason Moser noted that transitioning the program to district control could lead to long-term cost savings while allowing for improved integration with existing district resources. He emphasized that the financial implications were nearly equivalent at present but would become more favorable as additional students were added.

“Right now, we’d be looking essentially at a wash in terms of financial cost,” Moser explained. “But the services that are provided to our students because of keeping them in our district, and not bouncing back in and out of programs, is invaluable.”

If the district were to assume control of the program, Michalik said, it would start small, with five students, and expand as the model became more sustainable.

“A full support continuum at the elementary center would mean a complete K-12 support system,” she said. “This would provide stability for students as they transition through grade levels.”

Board member Joy Beers noted that the board has been advocating for an in-house program for several years.

“For three years now, this board has been asking, not that we dislike BHA and the services they provide us, but it has been recognized every budget season that they’ve been a large part of our budget,” Beers said. “It just makes sense to consider hiring our own personnel.”

Michalik said staffing such a program is a significant challenge.

“I really have to say that again for emphasis — it is very difficult to staff these positions,” she said. “Having the right personnel in place is crucial.”

The proposed transition would require hiring a teacher at a master’s level salary, a behavior interventionist, and a paraprofessional, resulting in an estimated cost close to the current contract amount with BHA. However, once the program reaches six or more students, cost savings would be realized.

Moser agreed that maintaining consistency is key to ensuring the success of the program.

“The number one indicator for success in an emotional support classroom is consistency,” Moser said. “We are talking about students who need structure and stability.”