Board approves ABA services contract; district outlines oversight metrics for vendor staff

The Wallingford‑Swarthmore School Board approved a services agreement with Brett DeNovi Associates to provide applied behavior analysis (ABA) clinical associates for students who require those services, including students with autism and other low‑incidence needs.

District special‑services staff described the vendor27s model of service: pre‑placement training, ongoing oversight by a board‑certified behavior analyst (BCBA), and 20 hours of continued training during the school year for contracted clinical associates. The district said it and the vendor meet weekly to review each clinical associate27s performance, and that leadership teams review key performance indicators monthly.

District staff told the board the vendor and district use a four‑point Likert scale to rate clinical associates weekly on professionalism, fidelity to behavior‑management techniques, engagement and adherence to instructional strategies; the district reported an average score of 97% for clinical associates during the 2024–25 school year. Staff also said they monitor vendor staff attendance and use a metric of roughly one day per month as an expected average; absences above that level are examined.

Board members requested public confirmation of the district27s oversight measures during discussion before the roll‑call vote. The contract passed by roll call, the tally recorded as unanimous in favor.

The approval authorizes the district to continue contracting for ABA clinical‑associate services under the terms presented; the district said it will continue weekly and monthly oversight meetings and will request staffing changes from the vendor if performance or fit concerns arise.