Board questions high per‑student costs, outcomes and in‑district training for ChanceLight contract

Duval County School Board members at the May workshop scrutinized a contract renewal with ChanceLight (noted in the agenda as part of a Spectrum Center/partner arrangement) that supports specialized units for students with high behavioral and instructional needs, and which staff said can cost tens of thousands of dollars per student depending on the placement.

A board member asked about per-student costs, noting the contract referenced “up to $50,000 per student” and a more typical figure near $27,000. “We’re looking at, you know, college tuition type amounts of funding these students,” the member said. Staff described state funding mechanics that increase per-student allocations for higher-need categories (2.53, 2.54, 2.55 funder levels) and said some placements can generate…