District says IEP services are district responsibility; outside providers curtailed after legal review; special-education supervisor resigns
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Summary
District staff told the Octorara Area School District board that behavioral and therapeutic supports required by students' Individualized Education Programs are the district's responsibility, not external providers; the district cited Title 22 and Board Policy 146. The board also accepted the resignation of the supervisor of special education.
District administrators told the Octorara Area School District board that services specified in students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) — including personal care assistants (PCAs) and behavioral health supports — are the obligation of the district and not the responsibility of families or outside vendors.
During discussion of the contract with CCRN Educational Support Services for PCA and bus-aid services, a board member asked whether CCRN was changing services or only submitting updated rates. A district staff member replied, “This is just their annual contract.” The staff member said the district currently employs two CCRN employees as bus aides but retains the option to use additional personnel from the provider if needed; the agenda language reflected that the district has used CCRN primarily for PCAs and bus PCAs.
Separately, an administrator described a situation last year in which private therapeutic staff working in primary grades were providing one-on-one supports “without ownership or oversight” by the district. The administrator said district counsel and special-education attorneys reviewed Title 22 of the Pennsylvania School Code and Board Policy 146 and concluded that the district should not permit outside agencies or insurance-funded providers to deliver behavioral health services without district oversight. “Policy 146 actually says that behavioral health services shall be provided by the district,” the administrator said.
The administrator said a memorandum and guidance were shared with principals and that meetings with affected families were used to coordinate transitions so services would continue and families would not be surprised by changes. The board acknowledged the district's need to balance oversight with family partnership and asked staff to continue communicating with families about any transitions in service delivery.
The board also accepted the resignation of Amanda Fraterman, supervisor of special education. Administrators noted Fraterman's contributions to special education programs and said the district will need to fill the role and manage continuity for students receiving services.
The CCRN contract (listed on the agenda) provides a price schedule that includes items beyond PCAs, but district staff said the vendor has been used only for PCA and bus-aid work to date. Board members also asked whether families were expected to use insurance for services; staff responded that when an IEP team determines a need, the district will encumber the cost rather than ask parents to secure services or use medical assistance.
No formal policy change was adopted at this meeting beyond the board-approved policies referenced elsewhere on the agenda; the discussion and legal review were presented as background and direction to ensure the district controls delivery of required IEP supports.
Quotations and attributions in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and are attributed only to speakers identified in the board record.
