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Bryan ISD reports early gains from contracted therapeutic program at Milam campus
Summary
The district says a contracted therapeutic program for students with significant behavioral needs is nearly at capacity and has produced sharp decreases in discipline referrals and suspension days; placements are determined by ARD committees and funded via contract authority previously approved by the board.
Dr. Jennifer Warren, Bryan ISD executive director of special programs, told the school board that the district's contracted therapeutic program (Sierra School) is "almost at capacity" at its Milam campus and is showing measurable early benefits.
Warren said the Milam program, designed for students in grades 7—12 with significant behavioral or emotional needs, is staffed by a program director, two special-education teachers, four assistant teachers (paraprofessionals), a social worker and a climate manager. The site has a capacity of 20 students; Warren reported eight middle-school and 11 high-school students are enrolled or pending enrollment, and placements are made by the ARD (admission, review and dismissal) committee with parent involvement.
"The outcomes of Sierra School services have been truly remarkable," Warren told trustees, reporting a 67% decrease in discipline referrals and a 44% drop in days of suspension among the students served year-to-date. She said staff have seen improved self-regulation and social skills, and that the program has enabled some students to recover credits and move back into their grade-level cohorts.
Warren said the district originally received board authorization last spring to contract therapeutic services not to exceed $900,000 for the 2024—025 school year and that some of the cost was offset by eliminating vacant positions (she cited roughly $580,000 in salary reductions tied to vacancies). She described the vendor-and-staffing arrangement as contracted: the program's employees are paid by the contracted provider (Sierra School/SESI), and contracted staff wear IDs that note their contractor status for safety.
Trustees asked about capacity and outcomes. Warren said the district currently has capacity to add students and that the program's ARD-driven process includes classroom observations, parent tours and structured transitions. On whether students can return to their home campus mid-year, Warren said an ARD can be convened anytime to change services when data show a student no longer needs the placement.
The board did not take a new funding vote at the meeting; Warren's update summarized implementation and early outcomes for a program the board previously authorized.
