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Warren County ESC ends John Lazarus alternative program; Lebanon district weighing in‑house option
Summary
Warren County Educational Service Center will stop operating the John Lazarus alternative school next year. Lebanon officials said about 18 students are enrolled now and the district is exploring bringing an alternative program back into its buildings to limit costly outplacements.
Lebanon City Schools officials told the board on March 17 that the Warren County Educational Service Center (ESC) will no longer operate the John Lazarus alternative school program in the coming school year, leaving the district to find alternatives for students who require that placement.
Superintendent Sievers said 18 students currently attend the program and estimated that 12 to 14 might return next year. He said the district’s cost to place a student in the alternative school this year ranged from about $15,000 to $17,000 per seat, depending on procurement terms; by contrast, he said, other regional alternative programs can cost $50,000 to $60,000 per student.
“We have about 18 students there currently, next year. I think it's either 12 or 14 that would be returning,” Sievers said. He told the board the district is considering options, including reinstating an in‑district program: Lebanon High School previously housed an alternative classroom and the district could repurpose that space.
Sievers said administrators expect to make a decision within the next month because hiring staff may be necessary. He said the district will attempt to keep the change as cost neutral as possible but acknowledged that some expense will be involved if the district operates an in‑house program rather than sending students to an outside provider.
Board members did not vote on a course of action at the March 17 meeting; Sievers said he would return with a recommended plan next month.
