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Board delays vote on River Rock Academy Services contract; asks for presentation and program data from providers
Summary
District administrators and board members discussed a proposed contract with River Rock Academy Services for alternative placements, raised questions about capacity and reporting, and asked staff to arrange a presentation before any vote; district currently uses Nittany Learning Services for several students.
Board members discussed a proposed services agreement with River Rock Academy Services — a new placement option for students who require alternative or out-of-district educational placements — and agreed to request a presentation from the provider before voting on the contract.
District staff described the River Rock agreement as a per‑diem arrangement (the district would pay only for days students are enrolled) rather than a prepaid block arrangement the district used with Nittany Learning Services (NLS). Christina, district staff, told the board River Rock was currently under capacity and could accept students; she said NLS currently serves 10 students and that two students were expected to transition back to regular programming in February.
Several board members, including Elizabeth, said they would not vote on the contract without a provider presentation. Elizabeth specifically asked that River Rock representatives join a meeting by Zoom so board members could ask program-specific questions; another board member asked that administration obtain and present quarterly performance reports for NLS — a data item reportedly requested during last year27s contract review but not yet seen by the board.
Christina said the proposed River Rock contract would not obligate the district to pay unless students were placed there and that River Rock would charge on a per‑diem basis. Board members asked administration to arrange a provider presentation at an upcoming meeting and to bring any existing usage and performance reports for NLS so the board could compare options before acting on the River Rock agreement.
Ending: The board deferred action on the River Rock agreement and directed administration to schedule a provider presentation (Zoom acceptable) and to circulate NLS placement and outcome data ahead of the voting session.
